Chelsea loan star Alejandro Garnacho is in the midst of another tough period with the Blues unable to impact his temporary spell at Aston Villa
Chelsea loanee Alejandro Garnacho has been criticised heavily again
Chelsea loanee Alejandro Garnacho has been criticised heavily again(Image: (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images))
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Alejandro Garnacho has been hit with some more harsh criticism following a difficult start to his spell at Aston Villa after joining on loan from Chelsea. Manchester United sold him to the Blues in the summer of 2025 for £40million but he was shipped out to Villa Park earlier this year.
The 22-year-old played over 2,000 minutes last season across 43 appearances in all competitions with eight goals and four assists arriving in that time. Despite a decent return, Garnacho was deemed surplus to requirements with a £43m obligation-to-buy under specific conditions, included in the details of his loan move.
However, it looks unlikely that will be activated with Garnacho needing to make a certain number of appearances for that to be activated. There is also no break clause which means he could return to west London at the end of the season.
That would leave Chelsea in a pretty rough predicament having likely expected to receive £43m for the Argentine next summer. His career at Villa Park could yet improve, but he continues to face criticism with their former player Dean Saunders the latest to take aim.
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He said, via Svea Casino: "If I'm being honest, I'm not a fan of Alejandro Garnarcho and his attitude. Look at what happened with him and Manchester United.
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"When you look at his talent and ability, when I was playing football and we had talented players come in to train with us or sign for us, talent alone didn't impress me. I wasn't impressed by people who can do tricks, juggle a ball and beat three men.
"I was more impressed with people who were hard to play against, like Jamie Lawrence, who I played with at Bradford. No one liked playing against Jamie. He'd run through a brick wall, tackle someone, chase back, and defend."
"Some players have nowhere near the talent of Garnacho, but I'd be more impressed with someone who turns up every week, gives a seven-out-of-10 performance, works hard defensively, and provides quality in the final third.
Alejandro Garnacho of Aston Villa
Alejandro Garnacho has made just three Aston Villa appearances
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"We can all do tricks and skills, but that consistent work rate is what you're getting paid for. To be honest, I was surprised Villa signed him."
There remains plenty of time for Garnacho to prove himself at Villa, though, and it may well have given him a boost that he got on the scoresheet in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Southampton last week.
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The arrival of Jamie Gittens alongside Garnacho saw his minutes impacted with Pedro Neto also handed game time off the left. The former is the latest player to hand Xabi Alonso an injury concern after being spotted on crutches after an England under-21 game.
Joao Pedro pulled out of the Brazil squad with a knee injury that also saw him miss the defeat to Brentford before the extended international break.
Cole Palmer also withdrew from England duty with Reece James also missing out. Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo have barely featured this season due to injuries.