Chelsea looking like pros at showing up Big Six rivals as Jadon Sancho says “I have a lot of people to prove wrong”
Jadon Sancho “has a lot of people to prove wrong,” which is a type of motivation that has served Chelsea well in the past.
The 24-year-old forward is currently on a season-long loan from Manchester United, where he fell out of favour with then head coach Erik ten Hag.
Sancho made the above comment after playing a crucial role in Chelsea’s comeback win over Tottenham on Sunday evening.
Enzo Maresca’s team found themselves two goals down within the first 15 minutes of the match, but Sancho scored to pull one back before half-time. Cole Palmer then added from 12 yards, before Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround in this London derby.
This match continues Sancho’s resurgence in form. In his 67th Premier League appearance, he scored in consecutive games for the first time in the competition.
Sancho recorded his 51st goal in Europe’s top five leagues, with this being just the second time he has scored from outside the box and the first since September 2018, when he scored against 1. FC Nürnberg while playing for Borussia Dortmund.
Jadon Sancho's game by numbers vs. Tottenham:
12 touches in opp. box
5x possession won
3/4 take-ons completed
3 duels won
3 shots
2 shots on target
2 chances created
1 goalCaused them so many problems. 👏#TOTCHE pic.twitter.com/q028Ce45zx
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 8, 2024
“Great comeback. We are just delighted with the three points,” he said post-match.
“I have a lot of trust in this squad, so I wasn’t too fazed once we got the first goal back. I knew we could come back and get a result.”
Sancho was then asked to go through his goal: “There was a one-on-one opportunity where I saw the chance to cut inside, and I thought, ‘Why not take a shot?’ In training recently, I’ve been focusing on my shooting, particularly on hitting the far corner, so I am very pleased with that.”
As mentioned, the 23-time capped England international joined the Blues on a temporary basis.
He added: “From the very first day, [Chelsea] made me feel welcome. I know I have a lot of people to prove wrong, and I’m just working hard every day in training. When I get my opportunity, I try to show what I can do. Today, I am happy that I scored and helped secure three points for the team.
“Again, I’m just taking it game by game, and hopefully, I can continue this form. I have to say thank you to the whole Chelsea team and the staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play.”
United’s loss is definitely Chelsea’s gain, and the same can be said for Palmer, who, like Sancho, came through Manchester City’s academy but has now found a home at Stamford Bridge.
Today, Palmer achieved 50 goal involvements (33 goals and 17 assists) in just 48 Premier League games for Chelsea. Only Erling Haaland for Man City (39), Andy Cole for Newcastle (43), and Mo Salah for Liverpool (46) have reached that total in fewer appearances for a club in the competition.
Understandably, supporters of those ‘big six’ teams, will be looking enviously at Chelsea, who may soon see Sancho fulfil his great promise and replicate his impressive days at Dortmund.
It’s evident that Sancho is more confident when cutting inside to take a shot from the left side. He scored his first goal for Chelsea earlier this week against Southampton, much to the relief of some who worry about his tendency to pass instead.
“I finally shot,” Sancho told post-match reporters.
If these new shooting boots take Sancho anywhere near his 17 Bundesliga goals from 2019-20, Chelsea may have another Palmer scenario on their hands.
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