Jadon Sancho: Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says winger 'needs ...

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca believes that Jadon Sancho “needs to feel the love” after the winger was awarded the player of the match award in his side's victory over Bournemouth.

Sancho set up Christopher Nkunku for an 86th-minute winner having come on as a half-time substitute for Pedro Neto as The Blues earned a 1-0 triumph on Saturday night at the Vitality Stadium.

It marked an impressive debut for the 24-year-old, who joined from Manchester United on an initial loan deal on deadline day.

Sancho endured a frustrating time at Old Trafford last term after a public falling-out with manager Erik ten Hag saw him exiled from the first team. He spent the second half of the season at Borussia Dortmund on loan.

“Jadon helped us a lot,” Maresca said. “What he did tonight is exactly what we expected from him.

"I know Jadon very well because I watched him many times in the past and I know what he can give us.

“Then also, Christo [Nkunku] was very good, not only because he scored but because he fought without the ball. Jadon was exactly the same.

He added: “I have the feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs to feel love. This is what I thought when I spoke with him before he joined us. Also he has the desire to show the player he is.

“But for me, he has to just enjoy football. It’s the reason why they play, they’re happy and they want to enjoy football.

"Then, because they’re good, they’re going to do good things.”

The win - the club’s second of the season - moved Chelsea to seventh in the Premier League, but they had Robert Sanchez to thank for being level at half-time after the goalkeeper saved Bournemouth's record signing Evanilson’s penalty.

"I think we played two different games,” admitted Maresca.

“I think first half we struggled, and the second half was much better. The reason why we struggled in the first half for me was because we didn't win duels, we didn't win second balls and in this stadium, against this team, first of all you need to show the desire to win the duels.

"The tactical part is important but first of all you need to show that.

“This was the message after 45 minutes to the players that in this kind of game you have to finish the game with your T-shirt dirty because you need to fight.

"Second half I thought we were much, much better."

Chelsea have a wealth of attacking options they can call upon this season, and Maresca outlined what he expects from a group of players that cannot always feature.

"At the end of the game I said to the players Christopher [Nkunku], Cole Palmer, Jadon, Joao [Felix], Noni [Madueke], Mischa [Mykhailo Mudryk], Pedro [Neto], they are not going to play all the games.

"What they have to do is exactly what they did tonight. If I play, I have to give all my best. If I go inside for ten minutes, I have to give all my best.

"This will be until the end because they are seven or eight good players and we cannot play with all of them. Sometimes they have to be out but the important thing is they are ready when they get minutes.

"Christoph is doing perfect. He didn't deserve to stay out, Mischa didn't deserve but sometimes you have to take decisions.

"The good thing when they go inside is that they are ready and they give everything."

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