Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
In the summer, Chelsea fans rejoiced when the club confirmed they had loaned Alejandro Garnacho to Aston Villa. A deal included a conditional obligation, believed to be an easily met clause.
The clause is believed to be worth £43m, which would see Chelsea make a profit on the Argentine winger. If Chelsea do end up making a profit on their £40m signing, it is surely one of Chelsea’s best-ever sales.
But things have not gone to plan for Garnacho in his first couple of months at Villa. A facial injury ruled the on-loan Chelsea man out of the European Super Cup final against PSG, and he’s playing catch-up.
The injury has seen others overtake him. George Hemmings, Alysson and Ibrahim Mbaye are preferred at the moment to Garnacho, and Unai Emery has now delivered his verdict on the former Man United man.
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Unai Emery admits Alejandro Garnacho has fallen down
Garnacho, so far, has made three substitute appearances for Villa – culminating in 31 minutes of football. In Villa’s last three games, against Club Brugge, Nottingham Forest and then Coventry, he’s been unused.
Sorry, but there are WORSE players than Alejandro Garnacho at Chelsea who aren’t being pushed out of the club
Alejandro Garnacho graphic
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Last night, Villa knocked Coventry out of the Carabao Cup, and despite seven changes made by Emery, Garnacho was left on the bench. Things are not going to plan for Garnacho and, in turn, Chelsea’s deal.
Speaking after Villa’s win, Emery said: “(He has to) continue working. Work, work, train, work. When he can have minutes to play, try and play well. He is progressing, but we have players in front of him now.
“George (Hemmings) is playing fantastic. Alysson is also understanding things well and is giving us things I want. (Ibrahim) Mbaye also responded well,” Emery continued, discussing why Garnacho is not playing.
“We want a competitive team and players to compete in the style we have. Garnacho is a little bit behind because of some circumstances we had in pre-season. It is time to be patient for the time he needs.”
What is Garnacho’s obligatory clause based on?
According to The Athletic, Garnacho’s clause is based on appearances made during his loan. Chelsea will have hoped that he would have made more than three so far. The ‘easily-met’ claim might not be so easy.
Unai Emery while managing Aston Villa.
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Of course, things can change. Garnacho needs a bit of luck, perhaps an injury or two ahead of him in the pecking order. But Emery clearly does not feel Garnacho is ready, and won’t risk him in his Villa side.
There’s no doubt about it; Chelsea’s hopes of a permanent fee from Villa for Garnacho are in doubt. They will have hoped he would have played a lot more than 30 minutes before the first international break.