There have been a few hints over the past couple of days that Chelsea could enter the January window for a signing or two, with the furore of Liam Rosenior’s appointment dying down.
Early indications this month suggested that there would be little activity in terms of incomings. Hardly surprising given that Chelsea splashed a whopping £300m on 10 new signings back in the summer.
However, that has not stopped Chelsea from being linked with many new signings after the window had opened. Jacobo Ramon, Mile Svilar, Lucas Paqueta, Ruben Neves, and many more have been linked.
Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho looks towards the sky
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
But the belief was that Chelsea’s activity this month would involve potential exits. However, the feeling is starting to change, especially after Chelsea asked about Antoine Semenyo before his Man City move.
Alejandro Garnacho should be increasingly worried at Chelsea
Bought by Chelsea in the summer after 144 Man United appearances, 21-year-old Garnacho is a player with massive potential, but he’s struggled to find his best form since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
Liam Rosenior started Argentina international Garnacho in his first match against Charlton on Saturday. It comes after Rosenior has made it clear he wants his Chelsea players to run, work hard and win duels.
Discuss: How does Rosenior solve a problem like Garnacho? 📉
Another disappointing display
Garnacho stats v Charlton
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
But Garnacho struggled. Karen Carney admitted she was “frustrated” with Garnacho’s display. Garnacho lost seven of his nine duels and failed to provide a single defensive contribution, only focusing on attack.
Now, the latest reports say Chelsea are prioritising a high-quality attacker and were among the clubs to ask Bournemouth about Antoine Semenyo, only for Man City to strike a £65m deal for the Ghana star.
Were Chelsea right to sign Garnacho in the first place?
The signing of Garnacho was questioned at the time. Did Chelsea really need him? Was it a move that was always going to end in tears? Garnacho is the kind of player who will shine as a big fish in a small pond.
It is the kind of situation that will feed his ego. Playing a bit-part role in a Chelsea side where he is some way off the likes of Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer and even Jamie Gittens means fans won’t see his best form.
Chelsea could still sign a new attacker after cooling their interest in Antoine Semenyo. Who would you target, or are you content with Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens?
Antoine Semenyo in action during Sunderland v Bournemouth - Premier League
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Garnacho is still very young. There is time to be able to churn the Madrid-born star into more of a team player, one who is appreciated and doesn’t get booed by Charlton fans just because of his personality.
But the fact that Chelsea are prioritising a new winger shows that they probably feel they made a mistake in signing Garnacho in the summer, and should Chelsea sign a new winger, Garnacho’s future is in doubt.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox