Alejandro Garnacho has spoken out about his move to Chelsea, stating he has absolutely no regrets about the circumstances surrounding his departure from Manchester United. The Argentinian winger finalized a £40 million transfer to Stamford Bridge, a decision he describes as straightforward.
Garnacho’s exit from Old Trafford followed a period where he found himself on the fringes of the squad, reportedly after falling out of favour with then-manager Ruben Amorim. Despite joining United’s academy at the age of 16 and attracting late interest from Bayern Munich, Garnacho, now 21, was determined to remain in the Premier League, ultimately choosing Chelsea.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League match against Atalanta, Garnacho explained that the change was necessary for his career progression.
When directly asked if he regretted the way things ended at United, Garnacho was unequivocal: “No.” He reiterated this sentiment when asked if he was saddened by the conclusion of his time at the club.
Explaining his decision to join Chelsea, Garnacho said: “I came here to play my football, to show people the player I am. Sometimes in life, you have to change things to maybe take a step forward or to improve as a player. It was the right moment, and also the right club, so it was an easy decision.”
Garnacho is currently under contract with Chelsea until 2032. He emphasized the importance of confidence and the support he receives from manager Enzo Maresca. “The most important thing is confidence. He (Enzo Maresca) speaks with me every week. We are going to get better, me as a player and the team together, with time. We started the season three months ago so it’s building confidence.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has offered insights into the challenges his team faces against Atalanta, particularly their aggressive man-marking strategy.
Maresca, returning to his native Italy for the Champions League fixture, commented on the tactical trends in Italian football: “You can see most of the teams play five at the back, most of the teams try to play man-to-man everywhere. If you go to the toilet, they follow you everywhere.” He suggested that Atalanta’s approach will be extremely tight, requiring his players to be constantly aware of their markers.
In team news, Cole Palmer did not travel with the squad to Italy. Maresca explained that Palmer is being managed carefully to avoid overloading him. “It is part of his process,” Maresca said. “He’s not available. He can’t play two games in a row in three days so we’ve planned this and it’s a way to protect him.” Palmer is expected to be fit for the upcoming match against Everton.
Liam Delap will also miss the Atalanta game due to a shoulder injury sustained in the recent 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. Maresca did not provide a timeline for Delap’s return, indicating that Joao Pedro or Marc Guiu are likely to lead the attack against Atalanta.
Addressing Garnacho’s performance, Maresca stated: “He can give much more, but not only Alejandro. All the players. We try to work every day with them to improve them. It’s been quite easy to work with him. He wants to learn, he’s open-minded, he’s working good on the ball and off the ball. Some games he’s better, some games he tries a little more, but overall he’s doing well with us.”
Key Talking Points:
- Garnacho’s Departure: Garnacho insists he has no regrets about leaving Manchester United for Chelsea, viewing it as a necessary step for his career.
- Champions League Challenge: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca anticipates a tough match against Atalanta due to their aggressive man-marking tactics.
- Player Management: Cole Palmer is being rested to prevent fatigue, while Liam Delap is sidelined with a shoulder injury.
- Garnacho’s Potential: Maresca believes Garnacho has more to offer and is working closely with him to improve his game.
Chelsea’s Upcoming Fixtures:
- Champions League: Atalanta (Away)
- Premier League: Everton (Home)
Injury Concerns:
- Liam Delap (Shoulder Injury) – No confirmed return date.
- Cole Palmer – Expected to be fit for the Everton match.