Alejandro Garnacho is proving his critics wrong and showcasing his talent for Chelsea after a summer transfer from Manchester United. The 21-year-old winger recently made headlines by signing with the Blues for a reported £40 million, a move that initially sparked mixed reactions among Chelsea fans. However, his impressive performances in recent matches have quelled doubts, positioning him as a key player under manager Enzo Maresca.
Garnacho’s early days at Chelsea were marked by a slow start, attributed to the lack of a proper pre-season after his time at Old Trafford. Nevertheless, he has quickly adapted to his new environment and is beginning to mirror the potential that Manchester United saw in him before his departure. With two goals and two assists in his last four outings, Garnacho is starting to fulfill the promise that both Chelsea and United anticipated.
His former manager Erik ten Hag at Manchester United once noted Garnacho’s potential to become a world-class player, emphasizing the importance of hard work to achieve that level of success. Ten Hag’s statement came during his tenure while Garnacho made nearly 100 appearances for the club. Today, Garnacho appears to be heeding that advice, working diligently on both his offensive and defensive game, a point Maresca has also echoed in his assessment of the player.
Maresca expressed satisfaction with Garnacho’s progress, particularly after the winger contributed significantly in Chelsea’s recent victory over Wolves, where he provided two assists. The Chelsea coach commented on Garnacho’s journey, noting that he arrived in less than optimal physical condition, but has gradually improved with training and match experience.
As he continues to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, Garnacho has started the last five Premier League matches, a testament to his growing importance in the squad. With Chelsea poised to face Burnley soon, expectations are high for Garnacho to extend his run in the starting lineup and further demonstrate his development as a promising young talent in the league.