Jadon Sancho has issued three cryptic statements on social media, with the winger enduring another difficult season on the pitch after joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United in the summer. The 25-year-old has struggled to find his feet in the Premier League since returning to England in 2021 to sign for the Red Devils.

Sancho appeared to have the world at his feet when he put pen to paper on a deal at Old Trafford after starring in Germany for Borussia Dortmund for four years. But he underwhelmed in the north west and was shipped back to Dortmund temporarily at the start of 2024. He spent last season on loan with Chelsea before agreeing to move to Villa Park at the end of the summer transfer window.

Sancho has failed to hold down a regular starting place at Villa under Unai Emery and is yet to start a Premier League match for the club.

He has come off the bench on seven occasions in the top flight, and has started four times in the UEFA Conference League and once in the Carabao Cup.

But he has failed to score a single goal or provide any assists, despite the fact Villa are enjoying an incredible season on the pitch.

Sancho took to Instagram on Monday evening to share a series of arty pictures of himself. In some snaps he is seen walking along the street, while in others he is pictured inside. The photo dump also including three slides with cryptic messages to his followers.

The first message reads: “You gotta serve a purpose to be around me in new season. It’s real personal.”

In the second one, his followers are shown the message: “On a mission.” And the final statement says: “Distance. Silence. Peace.”

Sancho has a staggering 10.2 million followers on the Meta-owned social media platform, with his photo dump receiving more than 150,000 likes. It is the first time he has posted to his Instagram feed since October 24, with his previous post showing him playing for Villa.

Sancho will be hoping to be in action for Aston Villa over the festive period after being forced to sit out Sunday’s clash with parent club Manchester United.

The west Midlands giants will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Chelsea, with Emery’s team then visiting Arsenal three days later. The Villans then return to Villa Park on Saturday, January 3 for a showdown with Nottingham Forest.