Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Jesse Derry made his Sporting Lisbon debut on Saturday evening as Portugal’s Liga NOS got underway, and it was frustration for the Chelsea wonderkid on the night.
Derry has joined Sporting on loan for the season, effectively replacing Geovany Quenda for a season. It comes after Derry made a breakthrough into Chelsea’s first team last season, even starting in the league.
Chelsea Training Session
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But with a reborn Jamie Gittens, the record signing of Morgan Rogers and the addition of Quenda, all involved felt it was the right move to send Derry on loan. He has been excellent during pre-season.
Sporting fans were left impressed with his first outing against Celtic in pre-season, before Derry scored in a 2-0 win over Monaco. On Saturday, Sporting went to Estrela, their first league game of 2026-27.
Derry booked after late cameo in disappointing 2-2 draw
Despite his promising pre-season form and calls from supporters to start Derry, the Chelsea talent was left on the bench until the 82nd minute by under-pressure manager Rui Borges. A poor start for Sporting.
FBL-POR-LIGA-ESTRELA-SPORTING
Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP via Getty Images
Derry had entered the fray with Sporting winning 2-1, only for Beni Souza to score an equaliser for the home side. In injury time, Souza was forced to pull back Derry, who was driving forward, earning a yellow.
The frustration was clear for Derry, who retaliated by pushing Estrela’s French attacker to the ground, earning himself a yellow card for his actions. However, it endeared him more towards Sporting fans.
No reason to panic for Derry; there will be plenty of game time
Chelsea will be hoping Derry gets plenty of game time during 2026-27, and while it was disappointing not to see the wonderkid start Sporting’s first game of the season, there remains plenty of time for that.
Chelsea top academy prospect
Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Not least, because Sporting will compete in this season’s Champions League – something Derry’s Chelsea teammates can only dream of. Next up for Sporting is a return home to host Vitoria on Friday night.
The pressure is already mounting on Borges’ shoulders, and if he is to appease supporters, it might be that Derry is given a start. But don’t be surprised to see Derry made to wait a few weeks before starting.