Since Alejandro Garnacho left Old Trafford to join Chelsea in the summer of 2025, he has not really created much controversy. But recent performances are increasing the level of scrutiny.
45 unforgettable minutes against West Ham last weekend even made Gary Neville comment that the Argentine winger seemed to have "lost all confidence". And this argument is very difficult to refute.
Chelsea certainly expects to earn a "good deal" by spending 40 million pounds to get Garnacho out of Man United at the end of the summer 2025 transfer window. He needs time to adapt, but after 6 months, the 20-year-old player has not yet left a clear mark in the blue shirt.
The terrible individual performance against West Ham is the clearest proof of that slow start. Garnacho was substituted by coach Liam Rosenior right in the first half, before his teammates created a spectacular comeback.
In the context that the patience of fans, who were not too enthusiastic about him, is gradually running out, Garnacho is now entering a real battle. He needs to regain his confidence and prove himself worthy of the contract that Chelsea has bet on.
Garnacho's slow start can be somewhat sympathized with, especially after a turbulent summer and the transfer "closes the books" when the Premier League has already started. However, up to this point, Chelsea has not yet seen the Garnacho version who was once praised as a bright young star.
In theory, the number of 9 times participating in the goal of the former Man United player is not bad at all. But most of that contribution comes from matches against Qarabag, Cardiff City and Wolves.
The clearest highlight so far is the double in the second half of the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal, but it also could not help Chelsea avoid a defeat. Garnacho's only goal in the Premier League was a goal in the defeat against Sunderland in October last year.
Of course, statistics are not everything. What is more worrying is the feeling on the field. Garnacho rarely creates a threat like when he was at Old Trafford - something that once made him considered a special talent. Conversely, many Chelsea attacks are like "turning off" every time the ball comes to his feet.
Of course, Garnacho can still receive support from the head coach. However, in the context that the right to decide on transfers is mainly in the hands of constantly fluctuating Sporting Directors, Garnacho's future at Chelsea is uncertain.
Garnacho is currently only 21 years old and still has a lot of time to develop further. It can also be argued that Rosenior's slow playing style, prioritizing ball control, and before that Enzo Maresca's style of play are not really in line with the explosive player like him.
Garnacho will also benefit if Cole Palmer soon escapes the period of decline so that Chelsea has more creative resources, thereby helping the attacking spearheads above have more room to perform. But BlueCo's operating model shows that the board of directors will not hesitate to "cut losses" or optimize profits if the situation does not improve.
In the context of Jamie Gittens being injured, and Pedro Neto being out of breath, the clash with Wolves - the team at the bottom - is an unmissable opportunity for Garnacho to save himself.
If he does not make an impression in the next few months, the prospect of a summer purge could completely become a suspended sentence on the Argentine winger's head.
