Chelsea
As per the latest news, Chelsea loanee Alejandro Garnacho is now facing real doubt over a permanent move to Aston Villa. The winger has played very little, and Chelsea are said to be unhappy.
Why the loan deal is now under pressure
Alejandro Garnacho joined Aston Villa on loan from Chelsea this summer, with a conditional obligation to buy at about £43m. As reported by TEAMtalk, that obligation only becomes active if he reaches a set number of appearances. The move offered a fresh start after a fallout at Manchester United and a difficult year at Chelsea. That spell brought eight goals in 43 appearances, and only one of those goals came in the league. Before that, he scored 26 goals in 144 games for United. Now 22, he has not started a single game for Villa in any competition under Unai Emery.
Garnacho has made four appearances this season, all from the bench, and has played just 42 minutes overall. That averages about 10.5 minutes per outing, and the combined total is less than half of one match. He was also left out of the matchday squad for the 1-0 win at Newcastle at the weekend.
Chelsea signed him from Manchester United for £40m last year, and United would receive 10 per cent of any eventual fee, which is about £4.3m. According to Football Insider, Chelsea are disappointed with his situation and see a financial risk in the deal. If the deal collapses, he would return to a Chelsea side that paid £117m for Morgan Rogers this summer.
Garnacho’s 2026/27 stats for Aston Villa so far, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Matches Started Minutes played
Premier League 3 0 31
Champions League 1 0 11
What Ten Hag says about Alejandro Garnacho
Erik ten Hag managed Garnacho at Old Trafford and later tried to bring him to Bayer Leverkusen. The winger chose to stay in English football, and Ten Hag told The Athletic that he regrets the player’s current situation. He described Garnacho as a character who must be managed, yet said they shared a strong connection. In his view, the winger needs a coach who gives him trust and love to bring out his best. Ten Hag also praised his stamina, saying Garnacho can run at high speed all game, both forward and back.
Ten Hag said Garnacho’s focus can slip when his team loses the ball and must defend. He also called Garnacho “a little bit selfish”at times, even though he can deliver the final pass. Ten Hag still called him an amazing player who can dribble past defenders and finish chances.
What happens next for Villa and Chelsea
Emery’s sides rely on a compact shape and organised pressing, which asks Premier League wingers to defend as hard as they attack. That may explain why Garnacho, despite his pace, has been used only in short bursts so far. Several outlets have also compared the situation with Harvey Elliott’s loan from Liverpool to Villa last season.
The Athletic reported on 8 October that two Villa sources would be amazed if he did not sign permanently. That report came before the Newcastle omission, so it may now look dated. Emery is also reported to see him as a long-term project, provided he follows the club’s methods. A permanent sale would suit Chelsea, because Rogers is reportedly the first choice on the left under Xabi Alonso. If the minutes do not improve soon, an increasing possibility of a return to Chelsea at the end of the campaign may prove right.