He was handed his first senior start in a Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest, but was forced off with a head injury after a nasty collision with goalkeeper Zach Abbott.
Derry will not be in west London to witness the start of Xabi Alonso’s reign, though, after he was sent out on a one-season loan to Sporting, where he has made a fast start to life.
Derry came on as a second-half substitute, replacing Issa Doumbia on the hour mark, and had his first goal in the club’s colours less than ten minutes later.
He received the ball to feet in the box before quickly lashing a curled effort beyond the reach of goalkeeper Philipp Kohn, who was left rooted.
Watch: Jesse Derry scores stunning first Sporting goal
Derry celebrated by mimicking Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers’ ‘cold’ celebration, which might have seemed out of place in the toasty climes of Lisbon.
Writing on his social media later, Derry thanked the Sporting faithful for their reception, writing: “What dreams are made of. Thank you for the warm welcome Alvalade.”
Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Trevoh Chalobah and Shim Mheuka were among the Chelsea stars congratulating him in the comments.
It is Derry’s first senior goal, and Sporting and Chelsea fans alike will hope it is not the last.
