Enzo Maresca hails impact of Jadon Sancho after Chelsea’s win at Bournemouth

Enzo Maresca hailed the impact of Chelsea attacker Jadon Sancho after he marked his debut with an assist for Christopher Nkunku’s winner at Bournemouth.

Sancho was introduced at half-time for his first Premier League appearance in 12 months after a spat with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag last season.

While Sancho settled the rift with Ten Hag this summer, he joined the Blues on loan on transfer deadline day and set up the winner with a wonderful threaded pass into Nkunku, who turned inside the area and found the bottom corner in the 86th minute for the only goal on the south coast.

“Very happy, very happy for him. He was very good,” Maresca said of Sancho.

“I have a feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs love. This is what I thought when I spoke with him before he joined 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.

“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.

“Then also Christopher was very good and not just because he scored but because he fought without the ball and Jadon was exactly the same.

“The performance second half changed completely but we need to learn these kind of things if we want to build something important and we want to win games, first of all we need the desire to win games, win duels and to fight together.”

Thanks for your support, the atmosphere before outside and during the game was felt