Alejandro Garnacho is being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer less than eight months after moving from Manchester United to Chelsea for £40million
Alejandro Garnacho’s debut season at Stamford Bridge hasn’t gone to plan(Image: MI News/NurPhoto)
Just a few days before Liam Rosenior was informed his services were no longer required at Chelsea, the former head coach, valiantly, jumped to defend one of his players.
An article from talkSPORT on April 20 claimed the Blues are already planning on selling Alejandro Garnacho, less than eight months since he moved from Manchester United.
“I’d like to know the source of the report,” said Rosenior, intrigued by the question. “These reports can come from anywhere. Garna is 21 years old – he is someone who has special qualities when he is in a good place and he’s in good form. And my job is to help him reach these levels.”
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Of course, it is no longer Rosenior’s job to elevate Garnacho’s game. Interim head coach Calum McFarlane put his faith in the Argentine in Sunday’s win over Leeds United – perhaps more out of necessity than choice given Cole Palmer‘s fitness levels – but it was another disappointing display from the former Manchester United wide man.
It was more of the same as far as Garnacho has been concerned in recent weeks. Credit to the 21-year-old; he is a brave footballer. Even when things aren’t going his way, he will continue to go at the full-back and try to beat him.
However, his bravery is to his own detriment at times. When a player is not performing well, the smart thing to do is keep it simple. Pass to someone in a better position, otherwise risk becoming too predictable and straightforward to play against.
Garnacho has been predictable in recent weeks. In wide areas, it seems too easy at the moment for the opposition full-back. When he gets into a shooting position – and, to his credit, he does this a lot – Garnacho’s finishing has been erratic in recent weeks.
There are already question marks over Alejandro Garnacho’s future at Chelsea(Image: James Gill – Danehouse)
Eight goals and four assists in 41 matches is a decent return in his debut season at Stamford Bridge. Not great, not good, but decent. Chelsea need more than decent players – and it comes as no surprise that the club have been linked with various left-sided wingers in recent times.
It will be interesting to see the new head coach’s role and how much say he gets in proceedings at the club. BlueCo has a sporting leadership team consisting of five directors, who are all heavily involved, as well as co-owner Behdad Eghbali.
If Chelsea believe there is a market opportunity to get their money back on Garnacho, then the club could be better suited going down that avenue. On the flipside, they might believe the new head coach can elevate Garnacho’s level and turn him into the sort of winger the Blues are after.
BlueCo’s patience will come into question when reviewing the Garnacho situation this summer. The Argentine’s future is a bullet point on a long old list of things to sort out at Stamford Bridge.