Jadon Sancho has revealed Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard were his “idols growing up” after sealing a loan move to Chelsea from Man Utd.
Sancho did not feature in either of Man Utd’s opening two Premier League games despite featuring heavily in pre-season after returning from a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund.
The England international was heavily linked with a number of high-profile moves over the summer, including Juventus, Bayern Munich and another return from Dortmund.
In the end, it was Chelsea who won the race for his signature, completing a deal just in time before the close of the summer transfer window.
Sancho names Chelsea legends Drogba and Lampard as his ‘idols’
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website after his move to Stamford Bridge was confirmed, Sancho named Blues legends Drogba and Lampard as his main inspirations as a youngster.
Between them, Drogba and Lampard scored 375 goals and provided 212 assists in a combined 1,029 appearances for Chelsea, playing key roles in the club’s most successful periods, in which they won multiple Premier League titles and domestic cups, as well as the Champions League and Europe. league
Now, Sancho will do his best to emulate this iconic duo.
“I’m very excited to be here,” Sancho he said. “London is where I grew up and I’m happy to be back.
“It’s been a little crazy. Obviously, it was the last day of the transfer window, so it’s expected to be a bit crazy, but I’m really happy that it’s finally done.
“Chelsea is iconic. My idols as a child were Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard and now I have the chance to play at this club like them. It’s a great feeling.”
Sancho: Enzo Maresca lured me to Chelsea
Sancho also revealed that it was a phone call with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, along with the Italian’s exploits alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, that convinced him that Stamford Bridge was the right move for in his career.
“I think it was the manager who really attracted me to the project,” explained Sancho.
“I knew him from his time with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. He spoke to me on the phone about this project and what he was building here, and for a young player like me it’s exciting and I can’t wait to get started.”
The forward continued: “I’m being signed for a reason and to contribute to the team and I’m ready to do that.
“I like his style of play. When the full-backs get to the ball, they love to go one-on-one and be direct. We play a lot of one-two with the 10 and he plays the forward combination. It’s very attractive and it’s a style I play.”
