In a stark assessment of Jadon Sancho's future at Aston Villa, former club star Lee Hendrie has indicated that a permanent transfer is improbable when the summer window opens. Hendrie, speaking on the Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast in partnership with BOYLE Sports, highlighted what he described as a "brutal" reason for this expectation: Sancho does not align with manager Unai Emery's tactical demands.
Sancho's Struggles at Villa Park
Since joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United last summer, Jadon Sancho has faced challenges in making a significant impact. He has managed to score only one goal and has been limited to just four starts in the Premier League under Emery's management. This limited playing time and output have raised questions about his long-term prospects at the club.
Hendrie's Critical Analysis
Lee Hendrie elaborated on his doubts, stating, "I don't think he is an Unai Emery player." He suggested that Sancho's current inclusion in the team is largely due to injury issues within the squad, rather than a reflection of his suitability for Emery's system. Hendrie pointed to a recent match against Brentford, where he felt Sancho was "too safe" in the first half, only showing more initiative after halftime when urged by the manager to be more proactive.
Drawing a comparison to Marcus Rashford's loan spell at Villa last season, Hendrie noted that Rashford used his time to prove his worth, ultimately securing a move to Barcelona. In contrast, he does not see the same drive or consistency from Sancho, emphasising that consistent performance is crucial in the Premier League. Hendrie added, "I do not see that with Jadon Sancho... consistent levels playing in that position are massive in the Premier League. I don't think he's shown that at Chelsea and when he's been at Manchester United."
Implications for Villa's Summer Plans
This analysis suggests that Aston Villa may opt against exercising any option to sign Sancho permanently, focusing instead on other targets that better fit Emery's vision. The club's decision will likely hinge on further assessments of Sancho's performances in the remaining months of the season, but Hendrie's comments cast significant doubt on a long-term stay.
