Jadon Sancho marked a memorable start to his Chelsea career during his debut against Bournemouth on Saturday night. Coming off the bench at halftime, the 24-year-old winger, on loan from Manchester United, played a key role in securing a late 1-0 victory, assisting Christopher Nkunku’s winning goal in the 86th minute.
Sancho was one of Chelsea’s standout players in the second half. His precise pass to fellow substitute Nkunku allowed the French striker to score the decisive goal. Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca praised Sancho’s contribution after the game, noting that it was exactly the kind of impact the team expected from him. Maresca highlighted the importance of both substitutes, Sancho and Nkunku, in demonstrating Chelsea’s attacking strength.
A lifelong Chelsea fan, Sancho fulfilled a personal dream by debuting for the club after an unsuccessful spell at Manchester United. This fresh opportunity at Stamford Bridge offers him a chance to reignite his career following a public fallout with United manager Erik ten Hag.
Despite leaving United, Sancho remains supported by his former teammates. After the match, he shared a post on Instagram celebrating his Chelsea debut and the team’s win. Among the comments was Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, who left a heartfelt message, “Some player you, keep that smile.” Several other footballers, including Cole Palmer, Tammy Abraham, and Tosin Adarabioyo, also showed their support.
Speaking after the game, Sancho expressed his gratitude for the chance to play again and praised his team’s resilience in securing the win. He emphasized how hard he had worked for the opportunity and was thrilled to finally make his debut for Chelsea.
Born in Kennington, London, just five miles from Stamford Bridge, Sancho’s move to Chelsea is a homecoming of sorts. He began his football journey at Watford’s academy before moving to Manchester City and later to Borussia Dortmund. Now, with his Chelsea debut behind him, Sancho is looking ahead to earning a place in the starting lineup for their upcoming match against West Ham United.
