European Leagues

JADON IS GOOD! Enzo Maresca Fires Subtle Dig At Erik ten Hag after Sancho shines on debut

Enzo Maresca fired a subtle dig at Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after Jadon Sancho impressed on his Chelsea debut. The Blues boss claimed the winger needs to feel ‘loved’ to perform at his best following his standout role in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth.

Sancho set up Christopher Nkunku’s late winner and was awarded the Player of the Match despite only coming on as a half-time substitute.

The 24-year-old hadn’t played a minute of football since a late cameo in Man United’s Community Shield defeat to Man City last month.

Having been frozen out by Ten Hag, Sancho joined the Blues on deadline day on loan with an obligation to buy next summer. The England international’s impressive first outing at his boyhood club is already a far cry from his torrid Old Trafford spell.

Maresca heaped praise on his performance post-game, saying: “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.

“I said already when we brought in Jadon that the reason why is because we were looking for another winger like Noni [Madueke]. Noni is doing that on the right side, winning one v one, creating chances, scoring goals and we were looking for the same on our left side with Jadon.

“We already have Mischa [Mudryk] there, Pedro [Neto] is playing there but it’s good to have both wingers they can give us this kind of options.”

Maresca was also delighted by Chelsea fans inside the Vitality stadium already singing Sancho’s name, as he believes his new man operates best when feeling the love of those around him.

Asked about how crucial a positive relationship with supporters and staff could be for Sancho’s form, the Italian added: “It’s very important. I have a feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs love.

“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.”

Sancho hadn’t featured in the Premier League since he was frozen out of the United squad by Ten Hag in September 2023.

He was ostracised from first-team training after refusing to apologise for a dig at the manager on social media.

Sancho spent the season half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, with even former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp questioning the treatment of him.

His return to form in Germany sparked Ten Hag to bury the hatchet in the summer, with the Dutchman stating there is no longer an issue between him and the player.

However, Sancho was then left out of the first team match day squads, before he sealed his switch to west London.

The saga ended what has been a turbulent few years for the 23-cap England international, who was one of Europe’s brightest young talents upon his 2021 switch to the red half of Manchester.

Sancho arrived just weeks after he was racially abused for missing a penalty in a shootout defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final alongside Three Lions teammates Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford.

His pre-season was hampered by an ear infection, with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo also causing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to rip up his gameplan.

Sancho, who flourished in the Bundesliga dropping into central pockets with Achraf Hakimi making overlapping runs, suddenly found himself relegated to being a touchline winger in front of the defensively-minded Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

He was cruelly branded 007 by Sky Germany for failing to register a single-goal contribution in his first seven games, with Solskjaer, who had championed his transfer for two years, sacked in November.

Two Man United managers later and it’s a former coach from the Etihad who has helped him eliminate the James Bond memes after one game at Chelsea.

Premier League

Guardiola Hints At Shock Premier League Return For Rodri

Rodri could be back in action before the end of the Premier League season, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed.

The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder, who has initially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in September, returned to individual training this week.

While Rodri himself had previously spoken optimistically of playing again this term, Guardiola had been far more cautious, suggesting it was not worth the risk even if possible.

Now it seems, however, that Rodri’s progress has exceeded expectations and he could feature again before the end of the domestic season and play a part at the Club World Cup in the summer.

Guardiola said: “The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited.

“But one step at a time, we don’t have to make stupid decisions to come back weeks earlier and (suffer) steps back. It’s good but still he’s not close to coming back, I would say.

“But he’s touching the ball and he was in the locker room making touches with the players. He feels confident, he feels more happy.

“I could not expect before (him to return) but maybe before the end of the season – not even the (Club) World Cup – in the Premier League, maybe, it’s going to happen.”

On the downside for City, defender Nathan Ake looks set for another lay-off after being forced off at half-time in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Plymouth in the FA Cup fifth round.

The Dutchman would join a casualty list that also includes fellow centre-backs John Stones and Manuel Akanji, both of whom are set to miss most of the rest of the season.

Guardiola said: “We’ll do the test but he struggles sometimes with the foot, with the bone, probably.

“It’s been like this the whole season, unfortunately, for the central defenders.

“Hopefully the young ones can sustain it and help us until the end.”

City moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals as they came from behind to see off Championship side Plymouth with a brace from teenager Nico O’Reilly and a further strike from Kevin De Bruyne.

The competition provides an opportunity for City to salvage something from a frustrating campaign in which they have fallen out of Premier League contention early and already exited the Champions League.

Guardiola, however, is not happy with the characteristics of the balls being used in the cup, feeling they behave differently from those used in other elite events.

He said: “The ball is not proper. I’m sorry. For many years it’s happened in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

“I know it’s a business and they come to agreements, but the ball is not (good). You know how many shots went over the post? Not just Erling’s (Haaland) – look at other games.

“I’ve said it for many years. It’s the truth. The Champions League ball is exceptional, the Premier League is exceptional, this one is not good.”

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mbappe Hat-Trick Dismantles Man City As Real Madrid Hit Last 16

Real Madrid have booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after a convincing 3-0 over Manchester City in the second leg of their play-off round tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the final aggregate score being 6-2.

A stunning comeback in Manchester last week ensured that Real Madrid only needed to avoid defeat in the second leg in order to be confirmed in the next round. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were never going to settle for this, and they extended their aggregate lead inside the opening four minutes in the Spanish capital. A long ball over the top from Raul Asencio went into the path of Kylian Mbappe, who lobbed over the onrushing Ederson and into the back of the net.

Just beyond the half hour mark, Mbappe got his and Real Madrid’s second of the evening. A wonderful team move ended with Rodrygo Goes playing in the French attacker, and he showed great feet to take the ball away from a couple of Man City defenders before blasting in from close range.

That goal put the tie beyond any doubt, but Real Madrid and Mbappe did not stop there. The 26-year-old would finish off for his second hat-trick of the season on 61 minutes after he curled the ball into the far corner to complete a sensational evening for him and his teammates.

However, it was not a perfect match for Ancelotti’s side as they conceded in the final minute after former Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez scored from close range after Omar Marmoush’s free-kick came back off the crossbar.

The result means that Real Madrid are into the next round, and they will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 stage of the Champions League. The draw for that round is set to take place later this week.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Set Up Clash With Liverpool or Barcelona

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Stroll Into Last 16

Paris St-Germain roared into the last 16 of the Champions League with a thumping victory over Brest.

Luis Enrique’s side will now face Liverpool or Barcelona with the draw due to take place on Friday, 21 February at 11:00 GMT, in Nyon Switzerland.

Already leading 3-0 from the first leg of their knockout play-off, the hosts again exhibited their superiority over a fellow French side they have now defeated four times this season – scoring 18 times in the process.

Bradley Barcola extended their advantage with a neat near-post effort and his fellow winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tapped in PSG’s second of the evening before the break.

Portugal international Joao Neves also hit the crossbar for the hosts, before his compatriot and midfield partner Vitinha curled a low shot into the right corner from 18 yards just before the hour mark.

From there PSG moved through the gears.

Goncalo Ramos teed up fellow substitute Desire Doue for their fourth, the impressive Nuno Mendes slid in Achraf Hakimi’s teasing ball for a fifth, Ramos’ deft finish brought a sixth and teenager Senny Mayulu rounded off the scoring with four minutes left.

It ensured a miserable night in the French capital for Brest, who only threatened sporadically when Mathias Pereira Lage’s placed effort was cleared off the line by PSG captain Marquinhos and Pierre Lees-Melou hit the post with a curling effort.

BBC