Enzo Maresca on Garnacho: "He needs work" and "he's not fully fit" | OneFootball

After a long conflict with Rúben Amorim, which led to the Portuguese coach not considering him for Manchester United's preseason, Alejandro Garnacho left the club where he debuted as a professional to join Chelsea for 46 million euros. The Spanish-Argentinian was introduced at his new club two weeks ago, but he did not arrive in physical shape, which is why his debut with the Blues will have to be delayed.

«He's fine, but he needs work«, acknowledged Enzo Maresca in a press conference before the match against Brentford in the Premier League this Saturday at 4 PM. He then added: «He's not at 100%«. Considering the proximity, it is very likely that he will also not be part of the lineup in Munich, where the London team will face Bayern in the first matchday of the Champions League group stage.

With another week of work under his belt, Garnacho's first start could be nothing less than in the match against Manchester United next Saturday, December 20th. This situation would add even more intrigue to a match that is already one of the most attractive in the English league.

After their surprising triumph in the Club World Cup, the Blues started their Premier League season on the right foot. With seven points out of a possible nine, they are second, only behind Liverpool.

Garnacho will need to get in shape both physically and football-wise to adapt in the best way to a well-oiled machine. Despite Chelsea facing four competitions this season, the 21-year-old winger faces strong competition for his position. Besides Pedro Neto, currently the starter, he will compete with the newcomer Jamie Binoe-Gittens. On the right side, a position he also occupied at United, the fight for a spot is even more complex, with names like Cole Palmer or Estêvão.

Additionally, the Madrid-born player has the disadvantage of lacking match rhythm. While all his competitors played in the Club World Cup and had a good preseason, Garnacho trained with his teammates but did not gain rhythm in friendly matches. These weeks of adaptation will be crucial for the future of the "Bichito," who seeks to feel important again within a squad with a great ambition on the horizon: to be part of Argentina's national team in the 2026 World Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.