Liam Rosenior has been speaking about the form of Alejandro Garnacho after the Chelsea winger was subbed off at half-time in the Blues' win over West Ham United last weekend
22:30, 06 Feb 2026
Alejandro Garnacho
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Alejandro Garnacho applauds the Chelsea supporters(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media)
Liam Rosenior has jumped to the defence of Alejandro Garnacho after the Chelsea winger was taken off at half-time following a below-par performance in the win over West Ham United last weekend.
With the Blues trailing by two goals to nil at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, the Argentine was one of three players to be subbed at the half-time break after a performance that left supporters audibly frustrated with the winger. Garnacho, who cost Chelsea £40million from Manchester United in the summer transfer window, has shown glimpses of his quality and potential since arriving in west London but a lot of supporters are yet to be convinced.
Rosenior, though, is convinced Garnacho will come good in SW6. The Chelsea head coach did admit, however, that the Argentine was not at his level during the win over the Hammers.
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"No, you can make many assessments," explained Rosenior. "I think Alej would be the first to say that maybe his performance wasn't to his level in that game but there were many collective things.
"My performance in the first-half wasn't good enough, so it's down to the reaction of the crowd. It's down to your own individual and collective performance. That's gone now, that's finished. I know Garna is an outstanding player, that's why he's here and I know he's got many, many good times to come."
Garnacho could start for the Blues this afternoon as Rosenior leads his men at Molineux against Wolves. Pedro Neto was assessed on Friday, though we await to see whether the Portugal international will be passed fit for the clash in the West Midlands.
Mamadou Sarr, who was recalled from his loan spell at Strasbourg on transfer deadline day, is expected to be named in the squad. Rosenior has explained the decision to bring the 20-year-old defender back from the BlueCo-owned French side and knowing the centre-back very well from his days with the club, is excited to be reunited.
"Like all of our transfer decisions, they're collaborative," said Rosenior on the decision to recall the Senegal international. "I give my viewpoint on each player individually and what would help the team from my point of view.
"Everybody knows what I think about Mamadou. I think he's got the potential to be a world-class centre-back. I'm delighted he's here.
"I thank the sporting directors and ownership for supporting what I thought was the right thing for us and for him and his career."
Rosenior continued: "I see a growth in Mamadou. I see a growth even in his performance in the AFCON final. I see a growth in his physicality. I see a growth in his tactical understanding.
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"Also there was an area of the pitch I felt we could strengthen in our own way. They were all the things that I took into account. He will get his opportunity but he knows he has to fight for it because we've got many outstanding centre-backs in our group."