MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 14, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa – Inter/FC Internazionale via Getty Images)
Alexis Sanchez was once known as one of the best strikers in the world, however, he now looks more like a shadow of his former self. The Chilean striker’s career took off once he transferred from Udinese to FC Barcelona in 2011. During his three-year-long spell at the Blaugrana, Sanchez impressed everyone and played a huge part in Barcelona’s success from 2011-2014. In his 141 appearances for Barcelona, Sanchez scored 47 goals and added 35 assists, won Spanish champion title in 2012/13, Spanish Cup, Spanish Supercup (2x) and even UEFA Supercup in 2010/11 season.
In the summer of 2014, however, Barcelona decided to sell him to Arsenal, who paid €42.5 million for the promising striker, which proved to be a very good investment. Sanchez went on to become one of the key players in Arsenal’s squad in the years that followed. During his 166 appearances for the Gunners, Sanchez scored 80 goals and even added 45 assists. While he did not enjoy any success in the European tournaments with Arsenal, Sanchez did help his team win two FA Cups and an English Super Cup. With his admirable performances in the Premier League, it did not take long for other clubs to take notice, which resulted in Sanchez moving to Manchester United in the summer of 2018, for €34 million.
Since arriving at United, however, Sanchez failed to perform up to par with the expectations. In 45 appearances for the Red Devils across all competitions, Sanchez scored only five goals and added nine assists, which is miles from what he showed at Barcelona and Arsenal. Seeing how Sanchez struggled to perform, he slowly fell out of favour with Manchester United, who made it clear they do not need the services of Sanchez anymore. Last season, he accumulated only 20 appearances in the Premier League, scored a single goal and added only three assists.
Despite a disastrous season, Antonio Conte, the boss of Inter Milan approached Sanchez and offered him an opportunity to join Inter Milan and recapture his best form. The negotiations took a while, but in the end, Sanchez decided to join Nerazzuri, where he will get to play alongside his former teammate Romelu Lukaku.
Conte expressed his admiration for the Chilean striker, stating “Sanchez is a strong player, he has shown in the past the quality that he possesses.”
To which he added: “We need to help him recapture the form that he lost at Manchester United. He has to adapt to our game and that is what he is doing.”
COMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 19: Romelu Menama Lukaku Bolingoli and Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale chat during a FC Internazionale training session at Appiano Gentile on September 19, 2019 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa – Inter/Inter via Getty Images)
While making it clear he has faith in Sanchez and his ability to find his old form, the Chilean national had to wait until this Sunday to make a debut for his new side and even then he did not get an opportunity to play the whole 90 minutes, but instead came on the pitch as the 79th-minute substitute. While having a significantly reduced playtime, Sanchez came close to finding the back of the net, and played admirably well in all the minutes he had at his disposal, which sparked some hope Sanchez could be on his way to finding his old form.
Will Inter Milan give him the opportunity to relive his glory days is anyone’s guess, but seeing how eager Conte was to get the Chilean striker on his team, there seems to be a bright future ahead for Sanchez and his football career.
