Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has insisted that he remains happy with Jadon Sancho's efforts for the Blues since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
During the closing hours of the summer transfer window, Chelsea were successful in negotiating a season-long loan deal plus permanent transfer obligation for the England international.
Maresca has since spoken highly of his admiration of the 24-year-old, who was quickly promoted to the starting lineup after the September international break.
Sancho impressively provided assists in his first three Premier League appearances for Chelsea, contributing to wins over Bournemouth, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, failing to make an impact in the first half at Liverpool on October 20 has been followed by two games passing by without playing any part.
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Maresca comments on Sancho omission
As well as remaining on the substitutes' bench for the Conference League encounter at Panathinaikos, Sancho was not used as a replacement versus Newcastle United on Sunday.
Nevertheless, with another fixture to come against the Magpies on Wednesday in the EFL Cup fourth round, there is the expectation that Sancho will be recalled to the side.
Addressing the situation at a press conference on Tuesday, Maresca has insisted that only "tactical and technical" reasons were behind his recent lack of game time.
Speaking to reporters, Maresca said: "Jadon is doing well since he arrived with us. For sure, he cannot maintain the same level all season because the amount of games is huge.
"So the last two games he didn't play, not for any different reason, but just for a tactical and technical decision - no more than that.
"For sure, because of the amount of games, he is going to play many games and the only thing he has to do is to continue to work hard. When we give him the chance, take it."
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Is Sancho guaranteed a start?
Realistically-speaking, it is highly likely that Sancho will be used on either the right or left flank in Wednesday's game at St James' Park.
As well as needing to build on only accumulating 45 minutes since the start of the October international break, Sancho will not play in the Premier League this weekend.
That is a result of Chelsea making the trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, Sancho unable to square off against opponents who are still deemed to be his parent club.
Sancho will therefore have his sights on another outing in the Conference League versus FC Noah before Chelsea play host to Arsenal three days later on November 10.
Darren Plant
