Jamie Redknapp’s comments in particular had people talking.
Much like the transfer of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez to West Ham, there’s something very intriguing about Renato Sanches’ recent decision to leave Bayern Munich on a season-long loan and join Swansea.
Granted, Paul Clement’s side are an established Premier League club, but even the most diehard and optimistic Swansea fan couldn’t have predicted that particular transfer because since making his debut for Benfica, the attacker always seemed like he was destined to join one of Europe’s powerhouses.
Fair play to him for looking to get some game time at Wales, but it does appear to be a bit odd.
Last summer, Sanches added to his prodigious reputation after he helped Portugal win Euro 2016 in France, and at the age of 18, he became the youngest Portuguese footballer to play in an international tournament.
The attacker won the Young Player of the Tournament and he also collected the 2016 Golden Boy Award – he beat Marcus Rashford to that accolade.
Despite the fact that Manchester United had tracked him for what seemed like an eternity, Sanches decided to join Bayern in a deal that totaled €80 million.
While Bayern won the league in his debut season, he only played 25 games across all competitions and failed to a goal or register an assist.
After being picked in Swansea’s starting XI to face Newcastle United at the Liberty Stadium, all eyes were on the Portuguese international.
Over to Liberty Stadium 🏟
Renato Sanches makes his Swansea debut, while fellow new signing Wilfried Bony is named on the bench #SWANEW pic.twitter.com/LoHmLEZLiF
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 10, 2017
In just over 28 minutes, he had given the ball away 14 times.
The story of his entire match didn’t get much better.
To begin with, there was a degree of optimism.
Decent first half here, but disappointing to see Renato Sanches has failed to completely transform every aspect of Swansea's play.
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) September 10, 2017
Looks like the Premier League is going to be more fun with Renato Sanches in it #SWANEW
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) September 10, 2017
After a while, the general consensus was that the Portuguese international was miles off the pace.
Renato Sanches has lost possession 14 times in 28 minutes. Welcome to the Premier League.
— Mootaz Chehade (@MHChehade) September 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/joethomlinson/status/906907271766183936
https://twitter.com/curtiswoodhous8/status/906905652110532608
Pass accuracy of Swansea midfielders in the first half vs. Newcastle:
Tom Carroll: 94%
Leroy Fer: 85%
Sam Clucas: 77%
Renato Sanches: 75% pic.twitter.com/Gbo3cUe3Lg— Squawka (@Squawka) September 10, 2017
There’s no way of sugar-coating this, he kicked Joselu in the groin.
Renato Sanches pictured kicking Joselu in the groin, no card, and laughs with the referee about it afterwards. pic.twitter.com/ywLt3Em6ub
— Adam. (@AdamNUFC_) September 10, 2017
Renato Sanches showing he's ready for the physicality of the Premier League by kicking a Newcastle player in the balls #SWANEW
— George Osborn (@GeorgeOsborn) September 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/MacAree/status/906907016790249473
Hello @GaryLineker… just wondered if you'd be highlighting Renato Sanches's kick in Perez's knackers tonight? Nee close-ups though #nufc
— Justin Lockwood (@Lockers75) September 10, 2017
Jaime Redknapp’s take on his first-half performance got an awful lot of people talking.
https://twitter.com/GunmanGianelli/status/906892161714704385
https://twitter.com/Houlton11/status/906910709748989953
The overall feeling?
Sanches was eventually substituted on 69 minutes with Wilfried Bony coming on in his place. It was fully deserved.
Seven minutes later, Jamaal Lascelles opened the scoring for Newcastle and Benitez’ men held on for the three points.
Granted, there’s still plenty of time for Sanches to show the undoubted talent that he has, but the attacker has a fair amount of work to do on the training ground.
Far from the dream debut.
#renatosanches pic.twitter.com/ZDW9flW3st
— Simon Thomas (@SimonThomasTV) September 10, 2017
Renato Sanches' Swansea debut by numbers:
79% pass accuracy
48 passes
1 interception
1 take-on
1 shot
0 chances createdTough start. 😔 pic.twitter.com/NPwTvppsxr
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 10, 2017
Renato Sanches is having an absolute nightmare.
— Matty Roper (@M_Roper96) September 10, 2017
