ENZO MARESCA appears to have taken a subtle dig at Erik ten Hag over his management of Jadon Sancho.
The Chelsea boss brought Sancho on at half-time for him to make his debut against Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
It proved to be an inspired substitution as Sancho put in a Man of the Match display and contributed with the game-winning assist for Christopher Nkunku’s late goal in the 1-0 win.
When asked about the importance of Sancho making a connection with fans and feeling at home straight away, Maresca appeared to take a jab at Manchester United boss Ten Hag who badly fell out with the winger.
Maresca said: “It’s very important. I have a feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs love.
“This is what I think when I spoke with him before he join us.
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“Also I know he has the desire to show the player he is, but for me, it is just to enjoy football.
“This is the reason why they play.
“They are happy and want to play football, they want to enjoy football and then because they are good, they are going to do good things.”
Before the game, Maresca had said he did not consider the Sancho transfer a risk.
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He said of the 24-year-old’s performance after coming on: “I think we start the second half much better and Jadon helped us a lot but what he did tonight is exactly what we expected from him.
“As I said, I know Jadon very good because I watched him many, many times in the past and I know what he can give us.
Sancho was sent on loan from Man Utd after his major falling out with Ten Hag at the start of last season.
The Dutchman had criticised his efforts in training, only for Sancho to make a public rebuttal and refuse to apologise before he was frozen out of first-team training.
He was eventually sent on loan to former club Borussia Dortmund, where he had a mixed spell as the German club made the Champions League final.
The win puts Chelsea seventh in the Premier League table before Sunday’s fixtures, with two wins, one draw and one defeat.
Chelsea ratings vs Bournemouth as Sanchez and Sancho are heroes… and Palmer struggles
CHELSEA needed a late moment of magic from Christopher Nkunku to snatch all three points from Bournemouth.
Marcus Tavernier crashed a super strike against the crossbar early on and Robert Sanchez saved an Evanilson penalty before the break.
Jadon Sancho came on for his debut at half-time and made the difference for the Blues as he set up Nkunku’s winner.
Here’s how SunSport’s Graham Nickless rated Maresca’s men…
Robert Sanchez – 8
Man-of-the-match show with first-half penalty save from Evanilson and a handful of excellent saves.
But rather fortunate to stay on the pitch after denying Evanilson a clear goalscoring opportunity with a deliberate foul that led to the spot-kick.
Axel Disasi – 5
The right-back was given an uncomfortable night down the right side.
Given the runaround by Cherries dangerman Antoine Semenyo and was replaced just after the hour.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Did his best to keep a clean sheet when run ragged by the home strikers.
Luckily for the centre-back, he could rely on Sanchez to keep them out.
Levi Colwill – 6
Did his best to calm the storm that came the Blues’ way for most of the match.
Made sure he kept record-signing Evanilson away from notching his first Premier League goal.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Always busy and making a nuisance of himself when he wasn’t being buffeted by Semenyo’s marking.
But overdid it with one stupid, deliberate shoulder barge on the Bournemouth winger.
Renato Veiga – 5
Suffered like most of his team-mates to open up the home side’s defence.
The Portuguese midfielder didn’t see enough of the ball to make an impact.
Moises Caicedo – 7
The captain was always looking for that defence-splitting pass when he wasn’t on defensive duty.
Gave an example to others around him who weren’t putting in a decent shift.
Noni Madueke – 5
Was quite mad attempting an early shot at the home goal that ended up as a throw-in.
And it didn’t get much better than that for the winger who was hauled off just after the hour.
Cole Palmer – 5
Rested by England for tired muscles and there wasn’t much energy in this performance.
But the Cherries, worried by his reputation, did target him in the first half.
Pedro Neto – 5
Failed to make any impact on the wing but could claim he had little or no service.
Boss Maresca had seen enough and brought on Sancho to replace him at half-time.
Nicolas Jackson – 5
Chelsea fans won’t want to suffer another nine years of this from the big striker.
Had one shot comfortably saved and another blocked but will need to show more upfront for his ludicrous long contract.
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Jadon Sancho (for Neto) – 8
Was booked 11 minutes after coming on then, looked likely throughout second half and set up Nkunku’s equaliser on super debut.
Tosin Adarabioyo (for Disasi) – 6
Was seldom troubled.
Joao Felix (for Madueke) – 5
Tidied up in midfield.
Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson) – 8
Burst through three players to score and snatch the winner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
