Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has slammed Chelsea star Alejandro Garnacho. He criticized the winger's attitude and final ball, claiming he wouldn't have been able to play in previous eras.
The Blues faced West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday. They trailed 2-0 at half-time, with Alejandro Garnacho having a poor half in both attack and defence. Liam Rosenior subbed him off for Joao Pedro, who scored and assisted, helping Chelsea win 3-2.
Pundit Steve Nicol slammed Garnacho's performance on ESPNFC, saying:
"I’m not a fan of Garnacho from a lot of angles, not just on the football field. I don’t like his demeanour and his attitude. I don’t like his final ball which lets him down way too often. Because of his pace he gets himself half a yard on defenders, but too many times he picks the wrong pass or makes the wrong decision. I don’t like the way he plays the game."
"Can you imagine him playing 25 years ago? He’d be in a hospital most weekends. We were always told was don’t do anything to make the opposition or the fans or anyone who is trying to beat you, don’t do anything to encourage them to want to beat you. He’s the type of guy who just by the way he plays the game makes everyone who is against him want to make sure he doesn’t do well," he added.
Garnacho has scored six goals and provided three assists in 26 appearances for Chelsea across competitions this season.
Pundit claims Alejandro Garnacho cannot start for Chelsea
Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley also criticized Alejandro Garnacho, saying that he cannot be a starter for the club. After the Blues' win over West Ham, he said:
"Alejandro Garnacho is the type of player who comes on at 75-80 minutes when everybody is knackered and there’s a bit of space for him to use his pace. But as a starter for Chelsea? No, no."
The Blues signed Garnacho from Manchester United last summer for a reported fee of £40 million. He has started 17 games for them across competitions this season.
Meanwhile, with the win over West Ham, Liam Rosenior's side are fourth in the Premier League standings, 13 points behind leaders Arsenal. They will next face the Gunners at the Emirates in the EFL Cup semi-finals second leg on February 3. The Blues trail 3-2 after the first leg.