Jadon Sancho’s return to Chelsea’s starting lineup was nothing short of spectacular, as the England winger played a pivotal role in their 2-0 victory over Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League. This result extended Chelsea’s perfect record in the competition, maintaining their flawless start with four wins out of four.
Sancho, making his first start since October 20 due to illness and injury, provided assists for both goals. His first set up Christopher Nkunku, who netted his fifth goal in four group phase games, while the second was a perfect ball for Mykhailo Mudryk to seal the win with just four minutes remaining.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was full of praise for Sancho after the match. “Since we started, Jadon has been very important for us,” Maresca said. “He has to be fit, mentally and physically, and he is going to help us a lot. We need that quality in the final third against a low block. He is showing how important he is.”
Despite Sancho’s brilliance, Chelsea faced a tough test against their Bundesliga opponents. Heidenheim provided a stern challenge, and Chelsea were fortunate to have goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen to thank for several key saves. With the game still goalless, Jorgensen pulled off a remarkable one-handed save to deny Paul Wanner before the opening goal. He later thwarted Wanner and Leo Scienza to keep Chelsea in control.
Chelsea’s defensive issues were compounded in added time when midfielder Cesare Casadei was shown a second yellow card, reducing the Blues to 10 men. However, Chelsea held firm and secured the victory. The win kept them at the top of their group, with two matches remaining.
Looking ahead, Chelsea are well-positioned to reach the knockout stages of the competition. Sancho, who joined the Blues from Manchester United in August, remains focused on the bigger picture. “We want to go all the way and win this competition,” he said. “It’s like any other competition we’re in. We’re always going to take it game by game and hopefully get the results we want.”
Maresca, who has now overseen 20 games at the helm, has guided Chelsea to a dominant position in both Europe and the Premier League. With Nkunku in excellent form and goalkeeper Jorgensen pushing for more playing time, Chelsea are looking strong as they head into their next group match against Astana in Kazakhstan on December 12.
The Europa Conference League, often viewed as a secondary competition, has become an important platform for Maresca to build momentum for his side. As Chelsea continue their march towards the knockout rounds, they are not just eyeing success in Europe’s third-tier tournament but also looking to challenge at the top of the Premier League.
With Sancho back to his best and Chelsea in top form, the Blues are well-equipped for the challenges ahead.
