Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca refuses to clarify Jadon Sancho's future as he admits struggling Man Utd loanee 'could do better'

Sancho joined Chelsea from United in January as part of a complex loan deal. The Blues are obliged to buy the 25-year-old for a fee between £20 million ($26m) and £25m ($32m) in the summer. However, within the deal, there is a penalty clause, meaning Chelsea could pay United £5m in order to send Sancho back to Manchester.

Sancho has made 16 league starts since joining Chelsea but he has contributed just two goals and five assists in that time. Four of those assists came in the first three games Sancho played for the club in the league, and he has not registered a goal involvement since January 4, when he assisted the Blues' only strike in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.

On Sancho's future, Maresca told reporters: "All the players that are with us, I love all of them, but in this moment it's the moment to finish well and then it's not the moment to think about next season. I'm completely focused about nine games, two months to go, I'm completely focused about that. Then what happens in summer, we'll see. But all the ones that are here, I want them happy to be here."

Asked if he had a message for Sancho, he said: "To be honest, probably you have more news than me in terms of Jadon. For me, Jadon's situation doesn't change, he's exactly the same. For sure, in terms of numbers, he could do better, no doubt, but it's not just about Jadon, I think we have more players in the same situation. Now, I don't need to give a Jadon message because I speak with Jadon every day, I had a conversation yesterday with him. He has just to continue to give his best until the end and this is what we want from Jadon."

Chelsea play Tottenham in the Premier League on Thursday before taking on Brentford this weekend. Sancho scored in the reverse fixture against Spurs and will be determined to get back on track.