Jadon Sancho claims he knows Enzo Maresca from Man City days despite three year gap

The maths ain't mathing on this one.

The 24-year-old winger signed for the Blues on a loan with an obligation-to-buy deal on Friday, bidding farewell to a turbulent four years at Old Trafford.

Speaking to Sky Sports Premier League, Sancho expressed his delight at moving back to his hometown of London and revealed his familiarity with Chelsea's new boss.

"I'm really excited, London is where I grew up and I'm happy to be back. For a young player like me it's exciting. I can't wait to get started."

When asked what the main attraction of the move was for him, this year's Champions League finalist said: "It's the manager, I knew him from Manchester City and he spoke to me on the phone and the project.

"He loves his wingers to go be direct. It's attracting due to how I play."

Many fans were quick to point out the contradiction to Sancho's claim.

One X user wrote: "Bro did not cross paths with Maresca at Man City."

Bro did not cross paths with Maresca at Man City pic.twitter.com/4b0Xi0dtg6

— UtdJozz (@UtdJozz) September 3, 2024

"I knew him from Manchester City" 🤔

Sancho > Dortmund (2017)
Maresca > Man City (2020)

— EPL Yorumcusu (@EPL_Yorumcusu) September 3, 2024

A Manchester United fan account pointed out the same issue.

"I knew Maresca from when I was at Man City, when he was with Pep."

He left Man City in 2017.
Maresca joined Man City in 2020.

😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/ALsV7qULIW

— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) September 4, 2024

Another posted: "Sancho left City in 2017. Maresca joined City in 2020. Do with that information what you like…"

It is a fact that Sancho left City for Dortmund in 2017, while Maresca joined the club in August 2020 to work under Pep Guardiola as manager of the Elite Development Squad.

There's every chance that Sancho was merely referencing the fact that both he and Maresca were at Manchester City at one point in time, but it's fair to say fans aren't having it.

The Camberwell-born playmaker delivered a fairly lacklustre goodbye message to United fans after his deadline move.

He wrote: “Thank you to all the fans, staff and teammates @manchesterunited Wishing everyone all the best in the future.”

That message can be viewed in stark contrast to a post from June in which Sancho bid an emotional farewell once again to Dortmund and its fans after a short loan that saw him help the team reach a Champions League final.

“What a crazy 6 months,” he wrote.

“We win together we lose together, these moments only make us stronger! I’m so grateful to be apart of such an amazing group of players!

“I want to thank everyone involved at such an amazing club. I can’t thank you enough for welcoming me back the way you all have during these last 6 months,” he added.