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      Chelsea star Jadon Sancho takes just 49 minutes to match feat that took him SEVEN MONTHS at Man Utd

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      JADON SANCHO has taken just 49 minutes to match a feat that took him SEVEN MONTHS to achieve at Manchester United.Sancho, 24, is on loan at Chelsea from the Red Devils.In 49 minutes for Chelsea Jadon Sancho has matched a feat that took seven months to get at Man UtdCredit: ReutersSancho did not get his first league assists for Man Utd until FebruaryCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunHe put in a Man of the Match debut after coming on off the bench at half-time against Bournemouth to provide the match-winning assist.Enzo Maresca consequently awarded Sancho with a start against West Ham.And once again he has paid back his manager’s faith by contributing an assist to Nicolas Jackson’s clever opening goal just four minutes in.This put Sancho on two league assists for the Blues.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, at previous club Man Utd, where Sancho never truly never managed to bed in, it took him an astonishing seven months to match the same league numbers. Sancho joined United in the summer of 2021 from Borussia Dortmund in a transfer deal worth £73million.However, following a stop-start season for him personally amid the struggles the club faced, Sancho did not register his first assists until February against Leeds. That game, a 4-2 win for Ralf Rangnick’s side, saw him register two assists.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe would add a third assist of the season against Tottenham three games later before his season was prematurely ended by injury.Meanwhile, it took him until his 10th game to score his first United goal, ironically against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.Jadon Sancho compared to Brazil football legend by excited Chelsea fans as ex-Man Utd star has first training session, ChelseaFC.mp4Overall, Sancho hit 12 goals and six assists for United but saw himself sidelined for much of last season following a falling out with Erik ten Hag where the Dutchman criticised his training performances. A public rebuttal from Sancho with no apology prompted Ten Hag to freeze him out of first-team training before the winger was sent on loan to former club Borussia Dortmund, where he had a mixed spell.After apparently burying the hatchet with Ten Hag this season, Sancho missed a crucial penalty in the Community Shield penalty shootout against Manchester City.He then sealed a deadline day loan move to Stamford Bridge, where the early indicators are he has captured his old form in Germany. More

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      Chelsea Champions League winner, 39, comes out of retirement to join second tier club… as player AND director

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      CHELSEA Champions League winner Salomon Kalou is set to play for a second-division club in the IVORY COAST.Winger Kalou spent six years at Stamford Bridge, scoring 60 goals in 254 games.Chelsea hero Salomon Kalou has come out of retirement for a surprise clubCredit: Getty Images – GettyChelsea hero Kalou is set to play for a second-division club in the Ivory CoastHe played in the Blues’ 2012 Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.A £9million buy from Feyenoord in 2006, Kalou also won the 2010 Premier League title, four FA Cups and a League Cup with the west Londoners.The 93-cap Ivory Coast international went on to play for Lille, Hertha Berlin and Brazilian club Botafogo.He made a surprise move to Djibouti club Arta Solar 7 two years ago, where he lined up alongside ex-Arsenal midfielder Alex Song.Read More on FootballArta’s Ivorian chairman Tommy Tayoro Nyckoss took charge of home-country club SC Gagnoa earlier this month.And the businessman convinced Kalou, 39, to join as both a director and a player. Gagnoa paraded him at a ceremony earlier this week.The southern club was relegated from the Ivory Coast’s Ligue 1 last season.They are based 40 miles from the Chelsea hero’s birthplace Oume, north-west of the African country’s capital Abidjan.Most read in FootballKalou said: “I am going to get a player’s licence, so that I can be part of coach Bernard Casoni’s squad.”And maybe if SC Gagnoa play against ASEC Mimosas or Africa Sports in the Ivorian Cup, I will take part in the game.”Chelsea boss Maresca aims cheeky dig at Erik ten Hag after Jadon Sancho makes dazzling debut after Man Utd transferKalou began his career with ASEC before landing his move to Feyenoord in 2003. More

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      Aggie Beever-Jones backs Bompastor to bring ‘spice’ to title race and Chelsea’s push for WSL crown

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      AGGIE BEEVER-JONES reckons Sonia Bompastor will add “some spice” to the WSL title fight as she eyes a winning start in England’s top tier.Tonight is the start of a new era for the Blues, with their France-born head coach, 44, going into her first Women’s Super League contest.Beever-Jones and her team-mates are targeting a season-opening win against Aston VillaCredit: GettyThe Blues clash with Villa will be Sonia Bompastor’s first competitive match at Chelsea’s helmCredit: GettyA rejuvenated Aston Villa, with new gaffer Robert de Pauw, are first to pit their wits against a team chasing a sixth successive title.A side that now boasts some of the most formidable forwards in Europe, including Beever-Jones, Mayra Ramirez and star striker Sam Kerr.Beever-Jones said: “That’s one of the great things about Chelsea.”Our squad is big and every single player is good enough to start a game and live up to the Chelsea standard.Read More Football Stories “I’ve always seen the competition as a good thing and I’m always learning and watching other people.”From Mayra, to Sam, to me, to Mia (Fishel) to Cat (Macario) – we’re all very different players.”We all kind of have our own uniqueness to us which makes us different.”You can pick up a few things from other players and you want to impress. Most read in Football”Hopefully I’m doing that and making Sonia happy.”Last term saw Kerr sidelined at the halfway stage of the season after sustaining an ACL injury at a Blues training camp in January.The absence of the Australia star prompted the club’s January swoop for Colombia striker Ramirez.And Beever-Jones says she’s ready to cheer Kerr to the rafters should she find the back of the net for the hundredth time for the Blues when fit.Beever-Jones added: “We had a goal competition at the start of last season and then unfortunately Sam’s injury happened.”But after every game I played in she’d come up to me to say ‘congrats’”She’s one of my biggest supporters and when she (comes back and) scores her 100th goal, I’ll probably be running up to her and screaming for her, given how hard she’s worked.”I’ll be delighted as will all the other girls in the team. “For me, the competition within the team is good. You’ve got to play better, but I’m excited for it.”Having been a Champions League winner as a Lyon player and manager, Bompastor is determined to guide Chelsea to European glory for the first time in their existence.And Beever-Jones believes her boss can add “a little spice” to the title-holders’ battle for more silverware.The striker, who scored 11 goals in 17 WSL games last term, added: “Chelsea has been so successful for so many years and Sonia is adding her own uniqueness to our style of play.“It’s just adding her little bit of spice to the Chelsea way.“And when the season starts and we’re in the four competitions again it will be challenging to see how the tactics play out.“But we’re in such safe hands and we’ve got a great team of players.When asked what fans watching can expect from her side, Chelsea chief Bompastor said: “They will see a team that is really competitive.”One that’s enjoying playing together at the highest level.”The most important thing is getting results. Bompastor says winning results are her priorityCredit: Getty”We want to win, to start the league strongly and to be efficient as a team scoring goals whilst being defensively very strong.”I hope we’ll be able to show a good football style, but for me that’s not the priority.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The result is what’s really important. But if we can have both, I will be very happy.”Chelsea’s WSL season-opening game against Aston Villa can be watched live from 7:00pm tonight on BBC 2 More

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      Ben Chilwell chased by two Premier League rivals despite ‘bomb squad’ outcast being welcomed back into Chelsea fold

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      CRYSTAL PALACE and Ipswich are both tracking Ben Chilwell and could make a move for the defender in January.The full-back almost left Chelsea over the summer but stayed at Stamford Bridge after failing to find a new club.Ben Chilwell is being chased by two Premier League after he was frozen out at ChelseaCredit: GettyChilwell looked to a mini-comeback after being included in the Blues Premier League squad listCredit: GettyOliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace are interested in ChilwellCredit: ReutersKieran McKenna’s Ipswich are another would-be suitorCredit: GettyHowever, sources say the ex-Leicester City star is concerned about the lack of game-time he is likely to get in West London – and is open-minded to a transfer.That has put Palace and Ipswich on red alert over a deal for the 21-cap England international.Chelsea are also thought to be keen to explore the option of letting Chilwell leave as they grapple with the demands of trying to manage a massive squad.It comes just weeks after it seemed Chilwell had secured a dramatic pathway back into the fold at Chelsea after being named in their Premier League squad.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe £50million defender was one of the infamous members of the so-called ‘bomb squad’ banished from training with the rest of the squad by manager Enzo Maresca during the transfer window.But after failing to find a new club, Chilwell was later included on the 25-man list of players for top-flight games this season in a surprise U-turn.The 27-year-old’s last appearance for Chelsea was as a two-minute substitute in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City back in April.He then became one of 13 big-name players forced to work alone when the club’s summer spending spree took the size of the squad to 42 players at one point.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea managed to offload many of those stars in a frantic finish to the latest transfer window.Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal, Trevoh Chalobah is on loan at Crystal Palace and Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Bournemouth on loan too.Chelsea fans can’t name their OWN PLAYERS after another wild transfer window under owner Todd BoehlyNo deals could be done for Chilwell and he will now remain at Chelsea until at least January.His long-term place at Stamford Bridge looks shaky with Marc Cucurella, Renato Veiga and Levi Colwill ahead of him in the pecking order at left-back.Chelsea ratings vs Bournemouth as Sanchez and Sancho are heroes… and Palmer strugglesCHELSEA 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 – 8Man-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 – 5The 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 – 6Did 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 – 6Did 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 – 7Always 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 – 5Suffered 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 – 7The 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 – 5Was 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 – 5Rested 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 – 5Failed 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 – 5Chelsea 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.SUBSJadon Sancho (for Neto) – 8Was 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) – 6Was seldom troubled.Joao Felix (for Madueke) – 5Tidied up in midfield.Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson) – 8Burst through three players to score and snatch the winner. 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      I’m England star who made over 100 appearances for Chelsea – but I wish I’d left when I was 16

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      HE was supposed to be the next big thing at Chelsea.He made his debut aged just 18 under Jose Mourinho.A former Chelsea star was tipped to be the next club legendCredit: Getty Images – GettyHe was part of the title-winning squad in 2016-17Credit: Getty – ContributorBut in the end, he wishes he left sooner – because staying at Stamford Bridge shunted his progress.Ruben Loftus-Cheek racked up more than 150 appearances for his boyhood club, first joining the academy aged eight.He chipped in with 13 goals and 17 assists – plus got his hands on three trophies, including the Premier League and Europa League.But arguably his loan spells at Crystal Palace and Fulham provided his best football.READ MORE ON CHELSEALoftus-Cheek, who earned his ten England caps from 2017 to 2018 including four at the World Cup, did leave Chelsea permanently after 19 years in 2023, joining AC Milan in Italy.In his impressive debut season at the San Siro, he racked up ten goals in 40 appearances.And now he looks back wishing he made the call to quit Chelsea sooner for the benefit of his career.Now 28, Loftus-Cheek told The Times: “I think if you’re a youngster, seven or eight years old, and you’ve signed with Chelsea, fantastic.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Because it’s a great academy and you’ll learn how to play football, you’ll develop your skills there and a great coach is coaching you.”But it gets to a point, maybe at 15, 16, where you’re getting to that stage where it’s youth-team football.Chelsea ratings vs Bournemouth: Sanchez excellent but returning Palmer puts on lifeless display”And you might want to start thinking about going and playing somewhere else. Because it’s very difficult now to just go straight through.”The best way to develop is by playing games and playing men’s football.”And it’s easier to do that somewhere else at a lower club. And I feel like that’s what I missed out on, I think.”Like Loftus-Cheek, homegrown talents Conor Gallagher, Lewis Hall, Mason Mount, Ethan Ampadu and Callum Hudson-Odoi have all been sold by Chelsea in recent years.That has helped balance the books for Todd Boehly’s mega spending and create space in the squad for the host of expensive signings.Ruben Loftus-Cheek joined Chelsea aged eight in 2004Credit: GettyThe midfielder is now with AC Milan in ItalyCredit: GettyHe earned ten caps including playing at the 2018 World CupCredit: PA:Press AssociationPlayers signed under Boehly at ChelseaRaheem Sterling – £50mKalidou Koulibaly £33mGabriel Slonina – £8mCarney Chukweumeka – £20mMarc Cucurella – £57.5mCesare Casadei – £13.3mWesley Fofana – £70mPierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £10.3mDenis Zakaria – £2.7m (Loan fee)David Datro Fofana – £10.6mBenoit Badiashile – £33.7mAndrey Santos – £11.1mJoao Felix – £9.7m (Loan fee)Mykhailo Mudryk – £62m Noni Madueke – £30mMalo Gusto – £26.75mEnzo Fernandez – £107.8mChristopher Nkunku – £52mDiego Moreira – FREENicolas Jackson – £31.5mAngelo Gabriel – £13mLesley Ugochukwu – £23.3mAxel Disasi – £38.9mRobert Sanchez – £20mMoises Caicedo – £115mRomeo Lavia – £53.2mDeivid Washington – £13.7mCole Palmer – £40.1mDjordje Petrovic – £13.6mTosin Adarabioyo – FREEMarc Guiu – £5.1mCaleb Wiley – £8.63mRenato Veiga – £12mAarón Anselmino – £14mOmari Kellyman – £19.2mFilip Jorgensen – £21mKiernan Dewsbury-Hall – £30.2mPedro Neto – £51mJoao Felix – £42.6mMike Penders – £17m More

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      Chelsea boss Maresca aims cheeky dig at Erik ten Hag after Jadon Sancho makes dazzling debut following Man Utd transfer

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      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.Enzo Maresca appears to have taken a subtle swipe at Man Utd boss Erik ten HagCredit: GettyIt comes after Maresca said Jadon Sancho was a player who ‘needs love’Credit: RexSancho had a huge public falling out with Erik ten Hag at Manchester UnitedCredit: PAIt 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.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”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.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe 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.Chelsea ratings vs Bournemouth: Sanchez excellent but returning Palmer puts on lifeless displaySancho 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 strugglesCHELSEA 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 – 8Man-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 – 5The 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 – 6Did 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 – 6Did 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 – 7Always 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 – 5Suffered 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 – 7The 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 – 5Was 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 – 5Rested 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 – 5Failed 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 – 5Chelsea 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.SUBSJadon Sancho (for Neto) – 8Was 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) – 6Was seldom troubled.Joao Felix (for Madueke) – 5Tidied up in midfield.Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson) – 8Burst through three players to score and snatch the winner. 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      Inside Jadon Sancho’s incredible Chelsea debut as ex-Man Utd star named Man of the Match after laying on assist for goal

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      JADON SANCHO marked his Chelsea debut with an impressive Man of the Match display against Bournemouth.Chelsea had been unable to conjure up a goal in the first half of their clash at the Vitality Stadium, with Robert Sanchez denying the hosts from the penalty spot.Jadon Sancho put in an impressive Chelsea debutCredit: GettyHe provided the match-winning assist for Christopher NkunkuCredit: GettyHaving been left unhappy by what he had just seen Enzo Maresca rolled the dice by bringing on Sancho for Pedro Neto at half-time.And it proved to be an inspired move, as the on-loan Manchester United winger provided the match-winning assist for Christopher Nkunku’s decisive goal after 86 minutes.Sancho was one of the liveliest players on the pitch as he put in a stunning display from left midfield.Indeed, for Nkunku’s goal, Sancho beat his marker by cutting back on to his right foot before threading a pass into his team-mate’s path before he slotted home a shot.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSancho attempted two dribbles and completed 24 of his 26 passes.He also showed his defensive nous by registering four ball recoveries.Before the game, Maresca had said he did not consider the Sancho transfer a risk.And afterwards, he had a glowing review for the 24-year-old.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “I think we start 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.Chelsea’s plans for £1bn new stadium (1)”Then also Christoph [Nkunku] was very good and not just because he scored but because he fought without the ball and Jadon was exactly the same. Tosin [Adarabioyo] was very good.”He added: “Very happy, very happy for him.”He was very good, I think Joao [Felix] was very good and Christoph scored but was also very good.”Sancho has often looked a shadow of himself since his return to England from Borussia Dortmund.The former Manchester City had a high-profile fallout with Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag last season that saw him banished from first-team training.He returned to Germany with Dortmund on loan in January and had a mixed spell as he helped them reach the Champions League final.However, Maresca said he believes he knows how to get the best out of him.Maresca said: “It’s very important. I have a feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs love. Chelsea ratings vs Bournemouth as Sanchez and Sancho are heroes… and Palmer strugglesCHELSEA 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 – 8Man-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 – 5The 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 – 6Did 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 – 6Did 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 – 7Always 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 – 5Suffered 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 – 7The 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 – 5Was 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 – 5Rested 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 – 5Failed 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 – 5Chelsea 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.SUBSJadon Sancho (for Neto) – 8Was 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) – 6Was seldom troubled.Joao Felix (for Madueke) – 5Tidied up in midfield.Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson) – 8Burst through three players to score and snatch the winner.”This is what I think when I spoke with him before he join us. “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.”READ MORE SUN STORIESIf his first 45 minutes are anything to go by, Sancho looks set to get his career back on track.The win puts Chelsea seventh in the Premier League table before Sunday’s fixtures, with two wins, one draw and one defeat. 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      England star Raheem Sterling publicly declares his faith in God as he is baptised in tank of water

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      FOOTIE star Raheem Sterling was baptised in a tank of water as he publicly declared his faith in God — and “cleansed” himself of past sins.The England forward, 29, was filmed taking the plunge dressed in a white gown, with a congregation singing gospel songs.Footballer Raheem Sterling has been baptised after declaring his faith in GodCredit: The ceremony for the England footballer took place at a church in LondonCredit: Raheem Sterling has a new start in his career as well, recently joining ArsenalCredit: GettyThe Jamaica-born forward, on loan at Arsenal from Chelsea, was fully immersed by two church elders at last weekend’s ceremony at a London Caribbean Baptist church.A source close to the star said: “Raheem said a few words which were incredibly powerful and moving. He understood this was a public declaration of his faith and an opportunity to cleanse himself of any ego, or bad habits of the past.”Sterling is preparing to make his debut for new side Arsenal today in the North London derby with Tottenham.READ MORE RAHEEM STERLINGThe winger joined Mikel Arteta’s side on deadline day after Chelsea made clear they were looking to move him on.A loan deal had to be struck, with Chelsea still paying a large percentage of Sterling’s wages.Arsenal are pushing to make up ground on league leaders Manchester City.And with key stars Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard out of action due to suspension and injury, the stage is set for new signing Sterling to step up.Most read in FootballHow Raheem Sterling can make huge difference to Arsenal’s seasonRaheem Sterling has been training with new side Arsenal ahead of his potential debutCredit: Getty More