Garnacho’s Struggles and Chelsea’s Mixed Performances

In the summer of 2025, the Argentine international Alejandro Garnacho made a notable transfer from Old Trafford to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea acquiring him for £40 million ($55 million). Despite the high expectations, Garnacho has struggled to find his form in west London, managing to score only six goals—one of which was in the Premier League—over 26 appearances in all competitions.

His recent performance against West Ham marked a significant low point, as he was given a starting role but failed to effectively defend against the opposition’s threats down his flank. Consequently, he was substituted at halftime with Chelsea trailing 2-0.

Former Manchester United player Gary Neville, who provided commentary during the match, shared his insights on his podcast for Sky Sports. He praised West Ham’s dominance in the first half, noting that they created the better chances and showcased a more physical game, thus overpowering Chelsea’s left side.

Neville remarked, “Alejandro Garnacho is a player that divides opinion. Many are questioning his status as a top-class player. It was difficult to watch such a young talent, who has recently joined Chelsea, appear so lacking in confidence on the left side. His initial touches resulted in him retreating rather than advancing, which ultimately led to turnovers. This was a challenging experience for both Garnacho and his teammate Jorrel Hato on that flank. However, once substitutions were made, the game transformed completely.”

He further elaborated on Chelsea’s overall performance, acknowledging manager Liam Rosenior’s decision to make several changes to the starting lineup following a Champions League victory over Napoli. “At times, Chelsea looked like an under-10s team, yet they could quickly become a dynamic squad with real energy and quality players,” Neville stated. He commended Rosenior’s bravery in trusting his squad, though he noted that making too many changes can be risky.

Currently, Chelsea sits fifth in the Premier League, just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United. Neville anticipates that they will compete for Champions League qualification, albeit without making significant waves in the league. He concluded, “They’ve shown resilience by coming back from a 2-0 deficit against West Ham and winning in challenging venues like Napoli. While they are not yet a title contender, they certainly belong in the top five.”

Chelsea’s next challenge is the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal, where they currently trail 3-2 on aggregate.