Enzo Maresca explains how Jadon Sancho can regain Chelsea starting spot | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has challenged Jadon Sancho to remain "mentally and physically fit" if he wants to regain his spot in the Chelsea starting lineup.

Sancho enjoyed a hot start to his Chelsea career, grabbing assists in three straight games following his loan move from Manchester United, but was withdrawn for tactical reasons midway through the defeat to Liverpool on October 20 and subsequently sidelined through injury.

The winger made his return off the bench as a late substitute in the 2-1 win over Leicester City and then grabbed two assists in the Conference League triumph over Heidenheim, after which Maresca offered Sancho a route back to the Premier League starting lineup.

"I said since we started, Jadon is very important to us," Maresca reflected. "He is very important. He has to be fit, mentally and physically; he is going to help us a lot. Unfortunately, we did not use him in the last few games but he is showing now how important he is to us.

"Especially against the teams that defend in the low block, we need that quality in the last third. Sometimes he will shoot more but I think he is going to help us a lot."

Complicating things for Sancho is the presence of so many high-level alternatives. Noni Madueke has been a regular starter, while another summer recruit, Pedro Neto, has earned himself more minutes. The under-fire Mykhailo Mudryk has also boosted his case with a handful of impressive showings in the Conference League.

"We need all of them taking the chances when they get them," Maresca said of Chelsea's deep squad. "We have 24 or 25 players, good players who all deserve to play and are working fantastic. We are going to share minutes in the next games because we have so many games so it is the normal thing to do."