UMVA has learned that Chelsea is facing a major dilemma with Alejandro Garnacho, the winger they signed for £40million just last summer, and who may be on the verge of becoming one of the first casualties of a potential squad overhaul.
The Argentina international has struggled to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge, with inconsistency and a perceived lack of effort being major concerns. Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker believes that Chelsea will struggle to get even half of their money back for Garnacho this summer, saying that the club's valuation of the player is likely to be severely reduced.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Parker thinks that Chelsea's £40million investment in Garnacho was always going to be a tough act to follow, and that the club will be lucky to get £20million back for the winger. He attributes Garnacho's struggles to a lack of dedication and a tendency to believe his own hype, citing a spectacular bicycle kick goal against Everton as a turning point in the player's career.
Parker also believes that Manchester United shares some of the blame for Garnacho's current situation, suggesting that the club "lost control" of the young player at a critical moment in his development. He recalls seeing Garnacho being booed by Leeds fans during an FA Cup semi-final and thinks that the player has become too big for his boots.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Chelsea is open to offers for Garnacho, and that the club is likely to be busy this summer as they look to revamp their squad. With Xabi Alonso's arrival set to prompt more changes at Stamford Bridge, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Garnacho and whether he can rediscover the form that made him a coveted talent in the first place.
Garnacho's performances at Chelsea have been a far cry from his impressive displays at Manchester United, and it seems that Parker is not alone in his assessment of the player's abilities. If Chelsea is to get any value out of their £40million investment, they will need to find a way to reignite Garnacho's passion for the game and get him to perform at a level that justifies his hefty price tag.
