Alejandro Garnacho looks on
Alejandro Garnacho has made no impact at Aston Villa so far(Image: Getty Images)
Neither Aston Villa nor Chelsea have a January break clause in Alejandro Garnacho ’s loan deal.
That’s according to The Telegraph who claim neither side can act unilaterally in the New Year, Chelsea cannot recall him and Villa can’t send him back to Stamford Bridge.
Instead the only way Garnacho can return is if both clubs agree, leaving the winger in a difficult situation as he struggles for game-time.
Indeed the Argentine has played just 31 minutes of football since arriving at Villa Park at the end of July. He has not even made it off the bench in the last three games.
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Surprisingly the 22-year-old was not given an opportunity when Unai Emery fielded a much-changed team in the Carabao Cup win at Coventry City, with the Spaniard telling Garnacho : "Continue working. Work, work, train, work. When he can have minutes to play, try to play well. He is progressing, but we have players in front of him now.”
Those players include rookies George Hemming, Ibrahim Mbaye and Alysson who have all contributed in recent matches while Garnacho has watched from the stands.
However, while there are parallels with Harvey Elliott’s last season, including an obligation to buy, for about £42.5m, if certain conditions are met, there is one major of difference.
While Elliott came to Villa having already played for Liverpool at the start of last season, that meant he could not play for a third European club for the duration of 2025/26.
Garnacho has only played for Villa so does not have that restriction, indeed The Telegraph claims Spanish teams have already shown at interest in his situation.
But Chelsea and Villa would have to be willing to allow Garnacho to switch clubs mid-season and it remains to be seen if any rumoured interest crystallises into anything more.