Sanches had the world at his feet last summer when he joined Bayern Munich for £30m and helped Portugal to a Euro 2016 success.
However, his career has since taken a turn after failing to make an impact for the German champions.
12 months on from his big-money move to the Allianz, Sanches finds himself trying to rebuild his career at Swansea, a team in the bottom half of the Premier League.
The question is, can Paul Clement, who worked with the talented youngster in Munich, help him find the form that once lit up the world of football?
Based on Sunday's performance, the answer to that question would be no. Sanches looked unfit, unable to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League and generally out of place at the Liberty Stadium.
It must be said, there were a few glimpses of the old Sanches, with the occasional delicious through ball and blockbusting challenge giving Swansea fans something to look forward to.
One thing is for sure, the Portuguese international will hold the X-Factor for Swansea. Everytime he had the ball at his feet, there was a sense around the stadium that something might happen, even though mostly it didn't.
Meanwhile, Jamie Redknapp believes Sanches was simply lacking confidence in a game where he conceded possession 23 times.
"I called him the signing of the window and I stand by it," Redknapp said. "He is going to be a player but he was off it today.
"He did some little bits and pieces that were very good and the rest will come, he gave the ball away a few too many times.
"Paul Clement's biggest job with this kid is to build his confidence again. You can see his confidence has been shattered while he has been at Bayern Munich.
"He was one of the best young players in the world a couple of years ago but his confidence is now low."
Will the 20-year-old find his best form in South Wales? Clement and Sanches have a season to rekindle the magic.