Inside Alejandro Garnacho’s time at Chelsea with Man Utd fallout and £42.5m decision

Controversial social media activity, an alleged lack of discipline, accusations of play acting on the pitch, tattoos and now dreadlocks – plenty of criticism has been thrown Alejandro Garnacho ‘s way since he first hit the spotlight in February 2022.

Back then, there were enormously high hopes for Garnacho, at the time 17 years old, and coming on for his senior Manchester United debut against, ironically, Chelsea. Garnacho, as far as United supporters were concerned, was ‘the next big thing’ – giving the Argentine a rendition of the infamous ‘Viva Ronaldo’ chant an example of fans being unable to contain their excitement for the teenage winger.

More recently, ‘who’s that tw** from Argentina’ will offer an accurate description of how different their feelings are towards the Chelsea winger are these days. Said chants could be heard in unison from the United end at Stamford Bridge back in April of this year in what was Garnacho’s 39th appearance – in all competitions – for the Blues since signing for £40million from the Red Devils last summer. It could turn out to be one of his last, too.

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Chelsea are open to selling Garnacho before September’s transfer deadline but will only consider a permanent solution for the 22-year-old wide man. AS Roma are one of a handful of clubs with a keen interest in the ex-United youngster but the Italian club, sources say, are more keen on a loan deal this summer.

Blues sources, however, are adamant the club want a permanent deal (that could include a potential obligation if no permanent agreement arises). Chelsea are demanding a fee in the region of £42.5m for Garnacho – which would represent a £2.5m profit on the £40m they paid Man United for his services last summer.

If they can get such a figure, it would be a small win for Chelsea. Supporters, however, are highly critical of the Blues even entertaining the deal in the first place. When Garnacho officially moved to Stamford Bridge last August, the majority of fans – online, anyway – were baffled given how things ended for the Argentine at Old Trafford.

Garnacho expressed his frustration at not starting in United’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham last May and things quickly turned sour for the winger under Ruben Amorim. Something he later referenced when being interviewed a few months ago.

Back in April, on an episode of Premier League: The Big Interview on TNT Sports, Garnacho said: “Nothing really went wrong. Sometimes different moments in life… I remember it was the last six months I was just starting to not really be playing like before for Manchester United, (when I had previously been) playing everything, every minute.

“I started to be on the bench – it’s not a bad thing, I was only 20 years old – but in my mind it was like, ‘I have to play every game’. I started to do some – maybe on me also – bad things.

“But yes, it was just this moment in life and sometimes you have to make decisions and I am really proud to be here.”

Garnacho was ready to put his United days behind him and start a fresh chapter at Stamford Bridge. While showing glimpses during his short time in west London, it has – on the whole – been a really disappointing tenure with Chelsea. His one Premier League goal in 24 appearances last season will go some way in telling you the tale.

He had an excellent chance – one he couldn’t afford to miss – to make the left-wing position his own with fellow new signing Jamie Gittens out for effectively the entirety of the second half of the campaign. Garnacho, though, failed to take that chance – which, ironically – and rather brutally – sums up his time at Chelsea.

Despite a thoroughly underwhelming debut campaign – and it looks like it might be his only one – with the west Londoners, there have been no complaints regarding Garnacho’s attitude. While there has been major criticism in relation to his off-pitch behaviour in the past, sources say that has not been the slightest issue this time around. In fact, it has been quite the opposite.

Stamford Bridge insiders say Garnacho’s professionalism around Chelsea’s Cobham-based training centre has been exemplary. Liam Rosenior said similar during his short time in charge. Enzo Maresca said similar.

Chelsea maintain a strong relationship with Garnacho and are working in tandem with him and his representatives to find the best-possible solution for all parties this summer. As mentioned, Roma are interested – and look to be front-runners at the time of writing – but there is also appreciation from elsewhere in Italy, as well as in England and Saudi Arabia.

Garnacho, who is contracted with the Blues for another six years, is eager to play more regular first-team football. Chelsea are not a club willing to give such assurances given how last season went for the winger, with Xabi Alonso having a different vision when it comes to the left-hand side of attack.

The Argentine is yet to report to pre-season training at Cobham under the new manager with the winger working alongside his entourage to find a solution to his dilemma. Chelsea sources said towards the back end of last week that a solution, whatever that may look like, is likely to be found soon.

If Chelsea manage to get a figure close to the £42.5m fee, then from their point of view, paying £40m to United last summer might have been a risk worth taking. Fans might disagree and there will be many telling the club they told you so.