Jadon Sancho sends clear message to Manchester United after Chelsea debut | Football | Sport

Jadon Sancho has expressed his gratitude to Chelsea for the warm welcome he has received after a difficult time at Manchester United.

Sancho, who struggled under Erik ten Hag last season before ending up on loan at Borussia Dortmund after a falling out with his manager, was reinstated in the squad this summer. Although he appeared as a substitute in the Community Shield, he did not feature in the opening league games.

The winger, who grew up supporting Chelsea, was offered a lifeline by the Blues on transfer deadline day with a loan move to Stamford Bridge, including an obligation to buy next summer which would result in a substantial loss for United after signing him for £73million.

Sancho’s impact was immediate after coming on for his Chelsea debut against Bournemouth, having assisted Christopher Nkunku’s late winner in his first Premier League game in over a year.

And he sent a clear message to Manchester United after his performance. “First of all, it’s incredible to make my debut for Chelsea,” Sancho told Sky Sports after the 1-0 win. “I’m very grateful to be back on the pitch. The team played very well and we’re happy with the three points.”

“I’ve worked hard for this moment and I’m just happy to have gotten my chance. I finished last season on a high by playing in the Champions League final. I’m just happy to be making my debut for Chelsea. I have to thank all the staff and my team-mates. The first day I arrived they made me feel welcome and I’m so happy to feel so comfortable.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was full of praise for Sancho after his side’s win. When asked about the winger, Maresca expressed his satisfaction with the Englishman and Joao Felix on Sky Sports: “I don’t see any problems around Jadon (Sancho), around Joao (Felix), I don’t see anything negative to be honest.”

“Jadon is a very good player and I knew, because I know him, that he was a very good player and that he could help us. Now, all the noise around him, I don’t care. With us, he is very polite, he trains well with and without the ball. We are happy for him.”

In a separate interview with Match of the Day, Maresca added: “He (Sancho) did exactly what we expected of him and Tosin Adarabioyo did the same and Christopher Nkunku as well. Joao Felix was very good. All the guys on the bench were very good.

“We were creating chances and we just needed a bit more quality in the box and he (Sancho) did that. Nkunku is not a starter but he is working very well.”