Man United outcry debunked – the truth behind Jadon Sancho’s Aston Villa ’embarrassment’
Jadon Sancho wasn’t the first substitute Unai Emery has taken off the pitch, and he certainly won’t be the last
No sooner had Jadon Sancho been substituted against Man City than a barrage of suggestions appeared on social and traditional media, claiming the winger should be embarrassed or that his career had hit a new low.
Sadly, those extreme reactions were predictable. Many outsiders were also prematurely hoping for a failed loan spell for Marcus Rashford months before it even began.
A dream move to Barcelona followed for Rashford, whose return to form – thanks to joining Villa – can only boost England’s chances of lifting the World Cup next year.
Right now, Sancho is not at the same level of fitness that Rashford had when he joined Villa back in February, but this is a season-long loan. The 25-year-old still has more than enough time to prove himself.
A brief scroll through social media suggests that Sancho has more than just Emery to prove himself to. However, it’s important he maintains tunnel vision, like Rashford, focusing on the job at hand and ignoring outside pressures.
Sancho spoke with Rashford last season, with the former Villa loanee expressing his joy at rediscovering himself at a club willing to provide the platform he needed.
Sancho’s situation is very similar, and he will be judged under a microscope during his time at Villa – a reality not unusual for any Manchester United player or one who has previously commanded a huge transfer fee. Frankly, it comes with the territory.
Some things, however, need perspective – Sancho’s performance against City is one of them.
Brought into the action in the 29th minute, Sancho replaced the injury-stricken Emi Buendia, who appeared to suffer a foot injury shortly after assisting Matty Cash’s goal.
Sancho played off the left, making his fifth appearance on loan at Villa, and nearly opened his account in the second half. Racing onto a ball over the top from Boubacar Kamara, he left Matheus Nunes for dead on the left byline, before pushing the ball toward goal, forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into action. The rebound was well saved by the Italian once more.
Four minutes after nearly doubling Villa’s lead, Sancho was replaced by Evann Guessand, whose off-the-ball work rate was needed at that stage of the game.
Forget that Sancho had been brought into the match earlier in the first half – Emery, like all top managers, must put the team first and make the right decisions to win.
So on came Guessand, while John McGinn was also replaced by Ross Barkley. Both substitutes performed well, relieving pressure on the backline and carrying out their assigned tasks – just as Sancho had during his 45 minutes on the pitch.
Of course, no footballer wants to be taken off after starting a game as a sub, but Emery’s plan all along was to give him a run-out. It just so happened that his introduction came far earlier than anticipated.
In fact, there have been nine other occasions when Emery has ‘subbed the sub’, with Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey, Moussa Diaby, and Buendia among them. Did anyone really bat an eyelid when those substitutions were made?
Villa beat Man City at home for a third successive season. Sancho played his part, is looking sharper and fitter, yet the narrative was predictably polarising – yearning for an instant reaction before Emery had even shaken Guardiola’s hand or spoken at the press conference.
Asked about the substitution, Emery said: “It was not easy, firstly, after Sancho played 60 minutes against Go Ahead. He is getting fit, but not enough.
“I planned as well with him to play him in the second half, but after the injury to Buendia, I decided to get him on the field as best as possible to get minutes and fitness, using his skills and qualities.
“His impact was good, but I knew before that it was my plan was to sub him, and I did it before with Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendia.
“It was not a punishment, it was a plan – he played 45 minutes. The other sub players were ready. Malen, Maatsen and Barkley were all very good.”
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Watch Go Ahead Eagles vs Aston Villa on TNT Sports
Aston Villa continue their UEFA Europa League campaign as they face Go Ahead Eagles on October 23. Fans can watch the game on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel.
