Facundo Buonanotte has made a powerful first impression on his new Chelsea teammates, scoring a hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the international break, according to The Athletic.
The 20-year-old Argentine, who joined on a season-long loan from Brighton on transfer deadline day, found the net three times in the match, which featured senior players not called up by their countries and the club’s Under-21s.
His performance was so impressive that several senior players made a point of pulling him aside to congratulate him afterward. Club staff are also said to be pleased with his early fitness levels.
This encouraging start is a positive first step for Buonanotte, who faces the task of winning over a fanbase that had hoped for a more high-profile attacking addition like Xavi Simons or Fermin Lopez.
The nature of his loan, a deal with no option or obligation to buy, means his long-term future remains uncertain. However, Chelsea do hold matching rights, giving them the opportunity to match any offer Brighton accepts for him next summer.
Buonanotte is not a newcomer to English football, having made 71 Premier League appearances and spent last season on loan at Leicester City.
This experience, along with his good level of English, should help him adapt quickly. He also has familiar faces to help him settle, including former Brighton teammates Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez, and Joao Pedro, as well as co-sporting director Paul Winstanley.
Manager Enzo Maresca, who was at Leicester before Buonanotte’s arrival, is a known admirer. “He is a good player… He’s a player who can help us,” Maresca said in the pre match conference, confirming Buonanotte will be an option in the No. 10 role, especially to manage the minutes of the injury-prone Cole Palmer.
While a late squad registration issue initially left him out of Chelsea’s Champions League group stage squad, the club explained the situation and Buonanotte took it well.
He will become a homegrown player in January, potentially allowing him to be registered for the knockout stages, and is expected to feature heavily in domestic competitions.
Brighton rates him highly and views him as part of their long-term plans, meaning any permanent move would require a significant fee. For now, Buonanotte’s focus is on seizing his opportunities at Stamford Bridge, with the added motivation of breaking into Argentina’s World Cup squad.
