Chelsea wonderkid Jesse Derry’s loan to Sporting Lisbon has turned into a nightmare
When Jesse Derry completed a loan move to Sporting Lisbon, Chelsea fans were excited to see the winger shine with one of Europe’s biggest clubs. That hasn’t been the case.
Derry, 19, broke into Chelsea’s side last season to the point where he even started a Premier League game. Calum McFarlane included him in the first XI during the 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
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There is plenty of hype around Derry, and instead of joining a Championship club or even a low Premier League side for 2026-27, he replaced Geovany Quenda by moving to Sporting Lisbon for the season.
Derry got off to a flyer with Sporting during pre-season
Pre-season promised much for Derry. It started with an impressive debut against Celtic; Derry then helped Sporting beat BlueCo side Strasbourg 7-0, and scored in a 2-0 win against Lamine Camara’s Monaco.
The season started with an away trip to Estrela, and while he only got eight minutes from the bench, Derry showed a bit of fight that sat well with Sporting fans – even if it earned the winger a yellow card.
Derry has played in just three of Sporting Lisbon’s seven games
That appearance against Estrela was just one of three matches Derry has featured in. He came on in the next game for 15 minutes, before going unused in four of Sporting’s next five matches in all competitions.
Indeed, Derry has been unused in the last three games – including a Champions League win over Turkish giants Galatasaray. At this stage, he’d be better off providing cover at Chelsea instead of Sporting Lisbon.
Chelsea may have a decision to make in January with Derry
Last January, Chelsea showed they are willing to cancel loans and send players elsewhere if the temporary moves are working out. Just ask Chelsea loanees Kendry Paez, Aaron Anselmino and Mamadou Sarr.
If the January window were tomorrow, Chelsea would cancel Derry’s loan and send him somewhere closer to home. If things do not improve between now and then, it is likely Derry will be recalled by Chelsea.
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