Garnacho's Chelsea move did not go to plan

Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea takes a walk around the pitch Image source, Getty Images
By
Chelsea reporter
  • Published

Alejandro Garnacho's only season at Chelsea did not go to plan, a fact perhaps best illustrated by his solitary Premier League goal.

In his defence, he started only nine matches following Liam Rosenior's appointment - a 29-game period that also included Calum McFarlane's second spell as interim manager at the end of the campaign.

In total, Garnacho scored a more respectable eight goals and provided four assists in 43 appearances last season.

However, aside from two goals against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, his other strikes came against lesser opposition, including Qarabag, Wrexham, Port Vale and Cardiff City.

It became apparent that Garnacho was beginning to lose the support of some supporters because of a perceived lack of work-rate.

There were also occasions when he was criticised for failing to track his runner, such as during the Blues' home defeat by West Ham, when he was substituted at half-time after being involved in the build-up to two opposition goals.

Sources have told BBC Sport that Garnacho remained professional and worked hard behind the scenes, which bodes well for his future.

In a late-season interview with Premier League Productions, the former Manchester United winger admitted he had done some "bad things" at Old Trafford because he was not playing enough.

Others familiar with Chelsea's dressing room dynamics said Garnacho struggled to integrate fully into the group and often cut a distant figure.

However, there is no significant controversy surrounding his departure from Stamford Bridge. The Blues simply viewed him as a player they were willing to move on as part of their efforts to improve the squad.

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