Alejandro Garnacho has got his wish with a move from **Man United**to Chelsea. It is a transfer that has whipped up debate, and the team at VAVELhas collaborated to have their say on the Argentine.
‘A very interesting signing’
The signing of Alejandro Garnacho is one that can go multiple ways for Chelsea. It is one that carries mixed opinions from the fanbase, who remain divided over the acquisition of the Argentinian.
The Blues will likely view Garnacho as a backup option initially, but will give the winger a chance to prove why he is good enough to be a starter for the London outfit. This has raised concerns in the fanbase about the Argentine's attitude – a well-documented issue from his time at Man United.
But this should not be a problem in his new club, as Chelsea will undoubtedly be a better environment for Garnacho to flourish in.
Alongside this, Maresca has already proved himself to be a good man manager, making it unlikely that any problems within the squad will be blown out of proportion.
Ultimately, this is a very interesting signing for Chelsea, who will eagerly be awaiting Garnacho’s debut, which is likely to be after the international break when the Blues face Brentford.
Words written by Harry Day.
‘A lot of room for improvement’
Alejandro Garnacho is a player who has a lot of room for improvement.
The 21 year old leaves a lot of meat on the table.
At Manchester United he came under a heavy amount of scrutiny for a variety of different reasons. They include attitude off the pitch, as well as the fact that he has stagnated and hasn’t kicked on to new heights as a player.
The left winger is a very direct player, who tries to put his opponent on the back foot. However, he had a 29% dribbling success rate which ranked as one of the worst for Premier League attackers.
To add salt to the wounds his shooting technique has a lot of room for improvement.
A lot of his shots fly over the bar. Last season in particular, he also kept turning the ball over consistently in the final 3rd and found it a tall task to keep the ball in tight spaces. Garnacho isn’t the finished product by any means, but there is no denying that he leaves fans wanting more.
He has put the pressure on himself, and weight on his shoulders, to hit the ground running at Chelsea after pushing to join the Blues. There are many question marks surrounding him on and off the pitch.
Chelsea fans will be hoping that he can make them eat their words and prove them totally wrong.
Words written by Spiro Paskou
‘He completes a versatile and talented winger pool’
This is a move that has been on the cards as early as January - as Chelsea and Manchester United seem to have finally settled on a deal.
For a player that appears to fill a gap in Chelsea's attack left by Noni Madueke, the negative discourse around Garnacho before he has put on a blue shirt is surprising to say the least.
Many point to his supposed attitude problems; the reason Ruben Amorim relegated the player to a supposed 'bomb squad' - currently training away from the United first team.
It will take plenty of hard work for Garnacho to move into a starting spot at Chelsea, and Enzo Maresca will expect nothing but the best when he arrives in London.
Rest assured, Garnacho will have much to offer to Chelsea's attack - runs in behind, box entries and shots on goal. He can also offer himself up as an extra target for crosses.
He completes a versatile and talented winger pool now at the club, which include fellow new signings Jamie Gittens and Estevao.
Time will tell - as is the case with all of the club's young signings - but Chelsea could be onto a real winner with Garnacho.
Words written by Sam Leah.
‘Good and bad are two sides of the same coin’
Still only 21, Alejandro Garnacho has played over 100 times for one of the biggest clubs in the global game, won the FIFA Puskas Award, and scored twice in two finals at Wembley Stadium.
He should still be a valuable asset for Man United, so to see such a young player jettisoned out of the door and left in a 'bomb squad' this summer suggests that the Blues bringing in a complex character.
His limitations have been well-documented. For someone so shot-heavy, the Argentine averages not even 1 in 5 record for goals across the last two years. Similarly, his success rate at dribbling depicts that his offensive game relies more on quantity than quality to create an impact in the final third.
But as much as self-belief can be his undoing, it is a reason that Garnacho has not tanked once and for all amid the decline of the Red Devils. His personality perseveres no matter the obstacle, and he has pulled off feats that some players with far more ‘ability’ would not dare to attempt on the big stage.
The more time passes, the clearer it seems that the good and bad of Garnacho are two sides of the same coin. BlueCo are again rolling the dice and looking to Enzo Maresca to make a gamble work.
*Words written by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere.*
Last season's epic 4-3 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge showcased Alejandro Garnacho and his undoubted talent, despite being on the losing side. His two goals turned the tide in the game, albeit briefly. The Argentinian has delivered moments of magic, most notably his stunning overhead kick against Everton but has failed to do so consistently.
Largely reduced to cameos at United, he will be hoping for more regular minutes at Chelsea, but is in no way guaranteed them, with the Blues having a plethora of attacking talent at their disposal.
Still, their pursuit of him has been longstanding, and with his fellow countryman Enzo Fernandez sure to mentor the 21 year old, a fresh start may be beneficial to both parties. Unlike many of the new Chelsea signings, he has the benefit of Premier League experience, and won't be deterred by the physicality and ferocious nature of games.
Let's hope this ensures that he can hit the ground running, and thrive away from the negativity of Old Trafford, as so many of his former teammates have recently.
Words written by Rosy Cobb.