Jadon Sancho revealed a phone call from Enzo Maresca persuaded him to join Chelsea on deadline day.
The 24-year-old has moved from Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan, with an obligation to make the move permanent for between £20-25m next summer if certain criteria are met.
Sancho, a £73m signing for United in 2021, has not yet featured in the Premier League this season and has had a strained relationship with Erik ten Hag, falling out with the Dutchman last season and spending the second half of the campaign on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
However, Sancho is confident that he will have a strong relationship with his new boss, believing Maresca will get the best out of him this season.
“I think it’s the manager who really drew me to the project,” Sancho told Chelsea’s official website.
“I knew him from his time with Pep Guardiola in Manchester City. He spoke to me on the phone about this project and what he was building here, and for a young player like myself it’s exciting and I can’t wait to get started.”
On Maresca’s style, Sancho added: “They’re signing me for a reason and to contribute to the team, and I’m ready to do that.
“I enjoy his style of play. The wingers when they get on the ball, he loves them to go one versus one and be direct. We play a lot of one-twos with the 10s and the striker combination plays. It’s very attractive and it’s a style that I play.”
Sancho will face stiff competition for minutes, battling with the likes of Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke for places in Maresca’s starting lineup.
He is boyhood Chelsea fan, having grown up in London, and he described his excitement at now getting the opportunity to feature for the club.
“Chelsea is iconic,” he said.
“My idols growing up were Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard and now I have the opportunity to play for this club like them. It’s a great feeling.”
