Gus Poyet believes Chelsea have taken a 'gamble' by signing Jadon Sancho ahead of their Premier League clash with West Ham on Saturday.
The 56-year-old spent four years at Stamford Bridge during his playing days, winning three trophies with the club during that stint.
At the end of last month, Chelsea decided to sign Sancho on loan with an obligation to buy.
The forward had previously struggled at Manchester United, with the Red Devils happy to cut him loose following a fall-out with Erik ten Hag last season.
Chelsea hero Gus Poyet feels the club have taken a 'gamble' by signing Jadon Sancho
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Though Sancho and Ten Hag resolved their differences, the winger was still snubbed for league matches against the likes of Fulham and Brighton.
Poyet, speaking exclusively to GB News via William Hill, feels his arrival represents a gamble.
And he also thinks the onus is on Sancho to deliver and prove Chelsea were right to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
"It is a gamble before because you look at what has happened," he said. "But it's up to him really.
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"He must show his capabilities. He must be settled and then there are so many talented players around him to create chances and be successful.
"With Chelsea having plenty of wingers, he must play regularly and this can be done by performing week in week out on the pitch."
Back in the summer, eyebrows were raised when Mauricio Pochettino left the club by mutual consent.
The Argentine had been making progress after a rocky start, with the Blues then proceeding to appoint Enzo Maresca as his replacement.
Maresca's tenure started with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, with Erling Haaland scoring twice.
But Chelsea have since bounced back win two wins from their last three league matches.
Poyet admits the Italian has a 'tough' job. But he also thinks he's capable of being a success in west London, too.
"Enzo Maresca has a tough job. With such a big squad, he has to get his ideas across and get a settled team on the pitch," he added.
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Chelsea hero Gus Poyet thinks Enzo Maresca can be a success at Stamford Bridge ahead of Saturday's clash with West Ham
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"He has so much talent to choose from and it's his job to get them all playing well.
"They need to get momentum and with such young talented players, he can do it but the players must be into it."
Next up for Chelsea is a crunch clash with West Ham.
The Hammers have been slow out of the blocks this season following the departure of David Moyes, with former Real Madrid, Sevilla and Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui named as his replacement
Chelsea hero Gus Poyet has defended Julen Lopetegui as Saturday's clash with West Ham approaches
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Poyet thinks, however, that West Ham can still push for a place in Europe next term.
"David Moyes did a great job at West Ham. Look at his achievements, winning the Conference League and performing so consistently in the League year in year out," he added.
"It's now a change of scene and style with Lopetegui in place and West Ham need to get points on the board to settle everyone down.
"They can be successful and finish top half and push for Europe."