Alejandro Garnacho's time at Chelsea has been deeply underwhelming, with the Argentine winger now set to leave Stamford Bridge
11:59, 14 Jul 2026
Alejandro Garnacho
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Alejandro Garnacho could be on the move again this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Alejandro Garnacho's future is up in the air less than a year after joining Chelsea from Manchester United.
The Argentine had been looking for a fresh start at Stamford Bridge after his relations with United became frayed. His £40million move initially looked like a savvy piece of business, only for Garnacho to endure a disappointing season.
Garnacho's cause wasn't helped by the continuing cycle of upheaval, which saw Enzo Maresca depart in January before Liam Rosenior was sacked after just 106 days at the helm. Xabi Alonso is now charged with steering the Blues' ship through choppy waters, and it appears Garnacho isn't for him.
With another transfer on the horizon, here's a look back on Garnacho's difficult year at Stamford Bridge...
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Chelsea behaviour highlighted
Keen to make his mark following his arrival from United, Garnacho actually impressed his new employers with his attitude on the training pitch. Speaking in September, Maresca said: "He's working well.
"For sure he needs to work because he arrived here probably not 100 per cent fit. So he needs to work. He's working well and we'll see. But hopefully soon we can give him minutes."
Garnacho himself said: "I have a winning mentality. I have passion and a big personality. It's a natural fit with a club like Chelsea, which has just won the Club World Cup. Chelsea are at the top now, and it's important to fight for the club like the fans deserve."
It's fair to say the honeymoon period was short-lived.
Alejandro Garnacho
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Garnacho's performance against Manchester United didn't go down well with his team-mates(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
Criticised by team-mates
Garnacho should have been desperate to prove a point to his former club when United came to Stamford Bridge in April.
However, having been introduced from the bench early on to replace the injured Estevao, he made so little impact that he was reportedly criticised by some of his own furious team-mates at the interval, according to The Sun.
Things failed to improve as United claimed a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Matheus Cunha goal. As if that wasn't enough, Garnacho was also mocked by his former colleagues after Luke Shaw posted a photo of himself making a robust challenge on him.
The post received likes and comments from United players Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Cunha, Joshua Zirkzee, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, Patrick Dorgu and Mason Mount.
Alonso's quick decision
Alonso has already made up his mind to part ways with Garnacho, with Chelsea prepared to entertain offers in the region of £42.5m.
The 22-year-old has been informed he isn't assured of first-team football, with clubs from the Premier League, Italy and Saudi Arabia all understood to be circling.
Xabi Alonso
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Xabi Alonso is happy to move Garnacho on(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
In his first press conference as Chelsea boss, Alonso said: "We have spoken with the sports directors, and there is an interest from him from other clubs, so let's see how it develops."
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Behind the scenes, there is a growing desire to push through a departure for Garnacho before the month is out. Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign away at Fulham on August 24.