After entering the game at halftime of Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, Jadon Sancho made his Chelsea debut with a Man-of-the-Match display, seemingly taking a covert jab at Manchester United. The England winger, who had fallen utterly out of favour with Erik ten Hag, completed an unexpected loan move to Chelsea from United on deadline day, capping three terrible years at Old Trafford.
While Pedro Neto was substituted for Sancho after Chelsea failed to have much of an impact in the first half, Enzo Maresca began Sancho on the bench for the match at the Vitality Stadium. In the 86th minute, Christopher Nkunku scored the game-winning goal after the winger caused numerous difficulties for the Cherries along the left flank. The impact was immediate.
Chelsea boss Maresca aims cheeky dig at Erik ten Hag
In an apparent jab at United and former manager Erik ten Hag, he was voted Player of the Match for his efforts and later talked about how “happy” he was to play and how he felt “comfortable” at the club. “Making my Chelsea debut is amazing, and I’m very grateful to be back playing,” the 24-year-old said in an interview with Sky Sports.
Maresca seemed to poke fun at Manchester United manager Ten Hag, who had a falling out with the winger, when he was questioned about how important it was for Sancho to connect with supporters and feel at home right away. Maresca declared: “It’s critical. I sense that Jadon is a man in need of affection.” When I spoke with him before his joining us, I believed this.
