Alexis Sanchez has endured a very rough spell at Manchester United with some supporters labeling him the club’s worst signing since Bebe. Sanchez just hasn’t produced much, and his astronomical salary makes his acquisition widely perceived to be a massive flop. While the manager has changed this season, the limited role of Alexis Sanchez has not.
The Chilean wishes he had brought “more joy” to MUFC, as he admits that playing sporadically has severely held him back. The 30-year-old admits he’s worried about his lack of playing time, and how it’s adversely affecting his desire to play the game.
“I’m a player that, if I’m not in contact with the ball, I lose that spark,” Sanchez said in a BBC interview with noted Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, “and sometimes I want to play in every game. You’re in, you’re out, and I’m used to playing.”
“It’s not an excuse because if I go on for 10, 20 minutes, I have to perform because that’s what I’m here for, to make a difference. I would like to have brought more joy to the club. Yes, it worries me because I believe in my abilities as a player, I want to show it.”
With two forwards, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard, out for two to three weeks, Sanchez will have chance his to play and possibly impress his way into the starting lineup.
“Sometimes I didn’t play, then I did, then I didn’t and as a player you lose confidence,” the former Arsenal and Barcelona man added.
Alexis Sanchez has just one goal and three assists in Premier League play this season.
Manchester United at Chelsea FC FYIs
Kickoff: Monday, February 18, 7:30 PM local, Stamford Bridge
Odds via Betway: Chelsea 1/1, Draw 13/5, Manchester United 13/5
Odds to win FA Cup via Betway: United 13/2, Chelsea 6/1
Injury Report for both sides: go to this link
Starting XI Predictions: Chelsea Manchester United
Prediction: Chelsea 1, United 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.