Enzo Maresca believes Jadon Sancho’s comeback display against Heidenheim proves he will be a key player for Chelsea during the upcoming festive period.

Sancho made a bright start to his Chelsea career after joining on loan from Manchester United on deadline day, registering assists in each of his first three Premier League games.

However, the Englishman was taken off at half-time during last month’s defeat to Liverpool at Anfield and had not featured since, in part because of illness.

The 24-year-old returned to Maresca’s starting lineup for Thursday night’s Conference League trip to Germany and grabbed his chance by setting up goals for Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk in a 2-0 win.

“I said since we started, Jadon is very important to us,” Maresca said. “He is very important. He has to be fit, mentally and physically.

“He is going to help us a lot. Unfortunately, we did not use him in the last few games but he is showing now how important he is to us.

“Especially against the teams that defend in the low block, we need that quality in the last third. Sometimes he will shoot more but I think he is going to help us a lot.”