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The focus was always expected to be on Jadon Sancho at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening as he made his Chelsea debut. Having joined on loan from Manchester United just before the summer transfer window closed, the winger began the match on the bench while Chelsea faced Bournemouth.
Enzo Maresca initially chose Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto to start on the wings, but made changes at halftime, substituting Neto. Neto, formerly of Wolves, had limited involvement and struggled to make an impact on the left flank.
Sancho made an immediate difference upon his introduction, combining effectively with Marc Cucurella in the attacking third. He played a one-two with Cucurella, but neither Madueke nor Cole Palmer could capitalize on Cucurella’s cross into the box.
Sancho and Cucurella continued to link up well in the second half. Cucurella set up Nicolas Jackson in the middle of the area, and soon after, Sancho provided a similar opportunity for Jackson, but the striker’s shot went wide.
Sancho played a crucial role in the 86th minute, assisting Christopher Nkunku to score the decisive goal, finding the bottom corner with composure. Sancho made a strong impression on his debut, and the Chelsea fans responded positively, chanting his name during his second-half performance. Maresca noted that Sancho’s connection with the supporters is beneficial for him, emphasizing that a player who feels appreciated can perform better.
Maresca mentioned that Sancho seems to thrive on positive reinforcement, which he believes will help the player show his best qualities. Sancho’s potential to become a key player in Maresca’s system is promising, especially if his partnership with Cucurella continues to develop, potentially becoming a significant asset for Chelsea.
Another notable debut was Renato Veiga, who started in midfield with Enzo Fernandez sidelined due to illness. The 21-year-old Portuguese player had a slightly shaky start, with a miskick almost leading to an early goal for Bournemouth. However, he improved as the game went on and was instrumental in securing Chelsea’s win.
Veiga achieved an 89 percent pass success rate, made six passes into the final third, completed all three of his dribbles, and won seven out of ten duels. Despite a late mix-up with Cole Palmer that led to a missed scoring chance, Veiga’s performance was solid. He was visibly excited about his first Premier League start, even celebrating with the Chelsea fans after Nkunku’s winning goal.
Chelsea’s attacking options are extensive, with Maresca having a wealth of talent at his disposal. While Madueke, Palmer, Neto, and Jackson started in attack, Maresca could also call upon Joao Felix, Nkunku, Sancho, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Marc Guiu from the bench. Nkunku and Sancho were key in the winning goal, but Maresca also praised Felix’s contribution after his late substitution.
In the 64th minute, Felix was fouled by Lewis Cook, but no free-kick was given, leading to Maresca’s frustration. His reaction resulted in a yellow card. Despite this, Maresca had reason to celebrate with the victory secured by Nkunku’s goal.
Finally, Robert Sanchez, Chelsea’s goalkeeper, deserves recognition for his performance. Sanchez made crucial saves, including stopping a penalty from Evanilson and several other attempts from Bournemouth players. His efforts were vital in ensuring Chelsea’s second Premier League win of the season.