Gus Poyet on Sancho, Isak and Nunez

Bettingexpert’s very own Devang Prasad sat down with former Chelsea and Tottenham playmaker, and current head coach of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Gus Poyet.

The pair discussed Premier League trio Jadon Sancho, Alexander Isak and Darwin Nunez, and mapped out the potential futures of all three.

Should Chelsea’s Jadon Sancho Stay?

Jadon Sancho has taken a lot of heat recently after starting life in Chelsea in good form – what’s gone wrong for him in recent weeks and where can you see room for improvement in his game?

“I think Sancho is that type of player that will have three or four games doing well and everyone will get excited but then there will be a few games where he is not at his best or maybe even doesn’t play at all and people will criticise him.”

“That’s how it is very often for wingers with his abilities.”

“I tried studying different coaches and I will give you an example. Pep Guardiola likes to rotate, and from the outside you could look at John Stones who in his best period played five unbelievable games in a row, but then he didn’t even play the next five games and you think to yourself: What happened here?”

“But then he came back, and then Ruben Dias didn’t play for five games. I think Sancho could be this kind of player who you only use in certain moments and certain matches. He needs a challenge and you want him to react as a manager.”

“He has always been that kind of player. Five good games, then out of the team.”

“Should he stay? I think that’s up to the manager, but the next transfer window is super important for Chelsea. They need to make strong decisions. There are no excuses for the players anymore. This season we can say, oh they are young, but we won’t say that next year. They have to deliver.”

“They need to decide who should stay or leave and that is up to the manager and the club – they need to find the right personalities.”

“Sometimes it’s difficult to keep your number nine happy”

Chelsea have recently been linked with a move for Alexander Isak. Could he help to take the pressure off Jackson or would you like to see Jackson given another season as the main number nine?

“I like Isak a lot. I already liked him before he moved to Newcastle, and he was really good at Real Sociedad. He is a really good striker.”

“In big clubs, sometimes it is difficult to keep your number nine happy, so if he arrives, it is important that Jackson knows his role. If not, it can be dangerous.”

“The number nine wants to play and score goals, but if he knows his role and knows how much he is going to play, it will be easier.”

“It really depends on the personality of Jackson, but I like Isak a lot. I think he is a proper number nine.”

“He needs to make a decision in the summer”

How do you see Darwin, and what advice would you give him at this time when everyone is criticising him?

“I think he needs to make a decision this summer on whether he’s happy with his role at Liverpool or he wants something different. He’s the number one striker for the national team and he’s the kind of player you don’t want to play against.”

“But with Liverpool he’s in and out and he gets treated differently to other Liverpool players. Gakpo can go 10-15 games with no goal and it’s not a problem. Nunez it’s always a problem. It’s difficult to deal with and it’s personal.”

“It up to him as to whether he’s happy with his role and his family being in England dealing with the scrutiny. Liverpool is a big club and moving countries is difficult.”

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