Sports
Alejandro Garnacho Was Awful in Charlton vs Chelsea and Must Improve
Following a 5-1 win over Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup, Liam Rosenior became the first Chelsea manager to win his first game in charge since Maurizio Sarri in 2018. While the young side as a whole impressed in booking the Blues’ place in the fourth round of England’s famous competition, one player has come in for significant criticism.
The contrast between Enzo Maresca’s vision for the club and that of the hierarchy was cited as the primary reason for the breakdown in relations that ultimately saw him pass the baton to Rosenior. A glance at his recruitment during his time in the Stamford Bridge hot seat offers some insight into how matters unravelled, and it was one of his most recent summer signings who once again failed to live up to expectations at the Valley on Saturday afternoon.
It would seem almost impossible to underperform in a side that put five goals past their opponents, enjoyed 73 per cent possession and completed nearly 500 more passes than Charlton. Yet, while confidence flowed throughout the team, Alejandro Garnacho struggled to match the standard set by his teammates.
Chelsea Ace Looked ‘Brilliant’ vs Charlton – He’s Set to ‘Explode’ Under Rosenior
The Blues eased to victory at the Valley.
Garnacho’s ‘Useless’ Performance in Charlton Athletic 1-5 Chelsea
Garnacho, who cost £40 million from Manchester United in the summer just gone, has been described as “destined to join the bomb squad” following what was labelled a “useless” display against Charlton. Handed a 3/10 rating by The Sun, the winger failed to hit the target with any of his three shots across 85 minutes, did not complete a single cross, and lost possession 10 times from 32 touches.
The Argentina international also failed to beat his opponent in either of his two dribble attempts, while his defensive contribution was limited to him winning just two of nine duels. It’s no wonder that one X user remarked after the match:
“Too many negatives [about Alejandro Garnacho], squad rotation player at absolute best. I just don’t see the potential long term.”
Elsewhere, another user added: “He’s simply not good at football,” a third wrote: “Which day will Garnacho ever be useful at the club? Tired of that guy,” and a fourth concluded: “We need to get rid of Garnacho, he’s just another [Joao] Felix.”
Chelsea’s Winger Recruitment Woes Roll On
With seven goal involvements in 20 appearances across all competitions, Garnacho has been more productive in and around the box than most players in his position in the club’s recent history. However, for a club of Chelsea’s stature, the hierarchy would surely have expected greater output from their wide players, particularly given what the likes of Jamie Gittens have also been unable to produce.
Under Todd Boehly, Stamford Bridge has seen a steady churn of wingers come and go, yet the club appears no closer to ending its search for a consistent option on the left. Indeed, it has only taken little more than four months for sections of the Chelsea fanbase to begin calling for another new face in that position, although they still have Mykhailo Mudryk to return to the fold in coming months.
