National media react to 'lively' Jadon Sancho Chelsea debut after Man United struggles
Jadon Sancho admitted working very hard up until the moment he provided Chelsea's match-winner assist to Christopher Nkunku against Bournemouth.
Chelsea fought long and hard to come away with the victory against a tough Bournemouth side. The Manchester United loanee patiently waited on the bench before being handed his debut in the second half when he replaced Pedro Neto.
The ex-Wolves man did not see a lot of the ball and failed to influence things when in possession. Sancho had a huge say on the game in the 86th minute as he slipped the ball in for Nkunku to turn and find the bottom corner. "I've been working hard for this moment and I'm just happy that I got my chance," Sancho said after the game.
"I'm just happy to make my debut for Chelsea. Just being back playing, I'm very grateful and I have to thank all the staff and my team-mates. The first day I came in, they made me feel welcome and I'm so happy to feel this comfortable."
football.london has taken a look at how the national media reacted to the winger's debut for the Blues.
George Sessions from the Independent wrote: "Jadon Sancho stepped off the bench to inspire Chelsea to a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth as he set up Christopher Nkunku’s 86th-minute winner on the south coast, after the hosts had missed a penalty and with a new record for bookings set in the Premier League - 14 players shown yellow cards despite only 25 fouls being made in the game.
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"Sancho had not featured in the Premier League for 12 months after a spat with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag last season and despite settling the rift this summer, he joined the Blues on loan on transfer deadline day. Enzo Maresca had watched Chelsea initially struggle at Vitality Stadium with only a Robert Sanchez penalty save from Evanilson after 38 minutes able to keep it scoreless at the break.
"Maresca turned to Sancho during the interval before he sent on Nkunku and the pair linked up late on when the French forward slotted home to earn the new Blues manager a narrow second Premier League win."
Kieran Gill from the Daily Mail wrote: "By the end, there was only one name being sang by the Chelsea supporters. It was that of Jadon Sancho, the Manchester United loanee whose half-time introduction changed the complexion of a contest that had appeared to be going Bournemouth’s way if anyone’s.
"Up until his arrival, Chelsea had looked as united as their bickering boardroom, players arguing with one another as their intensity levels were nowhere near that of Andoni Iraola’s side. Then entered Sancho, the version we saw at Borussia Dortmund as the 24-year-old made the left-hand side his own before setting up Christopher Nkunku to score in the 86th minute.
"His contribution as a substitute was so impactful that he was named man of the match. "I have the feeling that Jadon is a guy who needs love," Maresca said. "I know he has the desire to show the player that he is. We are happy for him."
John Brewin from the Guardian wrote: "The latest addition to Chelsea’s deluxe range of mercurial attackers, Sancho first watched from the sidelines as Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto flag flanked Cole Palmer. Adam Smith against Neto was a key first-half battleground - the veteran of Bournemouth’s League One days won hands down.
"Half-time brought Sancho on. "Just being back playing, I’m grateful," said the Manchester United outcast. "I’ve been working hard for this moment and I’m just happy I got my chance."
Bournemouth still made plenty of chances. Justin Kluivert forced another Sánchez save, a training ground free-kick routine led to Antoine Semenyo firing over, a deflected Ryan Christie shot pinged off the post. But that Bournemouth had tired from their efforts became apparent, and they retrenched as Chelsea at last enjoyed the comfort of dominating possession."
Gary Jacob from the Times wrote: "Not many clubs can match Chelsea for drama and chaos and few can equal their ability to pull out the unexpected. This was one of those games where Chelsea were largely outfought, outplayed and outthought but they hit a late winner, largely thanks to Jadon Sancho. Without being a dirty game, the 14 yellow cards shown by Anthony Taylor set a Premier League record.
"It said much that the winger was head and shoulders Chelsea’s most lively player despite only coming on at the break for his first Premier League appearance in more than a year after a loan move from Manchester United. With four minutes left his clever pass found Christopher Nkunku, who got between two defenders and poked in an underserved goal.
"For most of the match Chelsea’s disharmony in the boardroom was reflected on the pitch. Robert Sánchez made several stops, including a penalty from Evanilson after he had tripped the Bournemouth forward.
"It took an hour for Enzo Maresca to shuffle his back line, finally withdrawing Disasi. Chelsea lacked attacking fluency until a few slick passes cut open Bournemouth. Sancho spotted Jackson in space but the forward opened his body and curled wide. Soon after he fell over as he spun and turned, pushing the ball past the post."
Dan Bennett of the Telegraph wrote: "There were more than a few eyebrows raised when Chelsea opted to add Jadon Sancho to their already stacked forward line by signing the winger from Manchester United, but his second-half cameo in the win over Bournemouth suggests this could be the fresh start he needs to finally come good on his potential.
"The winger, introduced as a half-time substitute for Pedro Neto, proved to be the difference for his new side on his debut for the club, picking out another substitute in Christopher Nkunku with a fine pass for the striker to turn and finish low into the corner to snatch all three points for the Blues.
"Sancho was tipped to be the next big English star after signing for Manchester United for £70million in 2021, but failed to make the impact expected of him during a tricky spell at Old Trafford and spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund."