The Curious Case of Alejandro Garnacho’s Reputation | OneFootball

There was a section of Chelsea supporters who had written Alejandro Garnacho off before he had even made it to Fulham Broadway. The ex-Manchester United winger — whose name had already soured ties in Stretford long before he eventually penned a long-term deal to wear royal blue — arrived with a divisive aura.

Universally Reviled? Why?

For whatever reason, Garnacho triggers contempt from people. We need only look at the bizarre way he is booed at almost every away ground in the country. Why that remains the case, from Lincoln to Fulham and Wrexham, is a mystery.

Simply having played for Manchester United has not cursed many other players after their departure. It also seems unfeasible that he has created villain arcs in the eyes of this many opposing supporters.

Of course, fans’ perception of Garnacho was set under the harshest spotlight in English football. Considered one of many problems within the ongoing decline of Manchester United, the Argentinian’s discipline, focus and commitment were regularly questioned.

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By the time he donned an Aston Villa shirt last summer — with fellow United bomb squad alumnus Marcus Rashford’s name on the back — it only signaled his embrace of the heel turn.

From the outside, the perception of Garnacho overrides any introspection into his actual numbers. Unsurprisingly, that has remained the case (so far) at Chelsea.

Garnacho’s poor 45-minute display at home to West Ham in January, as Chelsea trailed 2-0, will live long in the minds of many. It was the culmination — or encapsulation — of every cynical perception surrounding the transfer spearheaded by the club’s maligned sporting directors.

Coupled with the $80m move for Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, which has yet to yield much upside, this was framed as just another expensive mishap — a player deemed too inconsistent for a club that demands results now.

Check the Numbers

But check his numbers, please. Under the harsh spotlight of data, Garnacho becomes a different player. This season for Chelsea, he has 11 goal contributions spread across multiple competitions. In this case the context matters; he has not been a guaranteed starter for many of these matches.

Even the harshest critic of the 23-year-old should concede the past fortnight has been his strongest since joining the club. Even his cameo from the bench at the Emirates almost conjured an unlikely equaliser, forcing David Raya into a late stop thanks to a deceptively dangerous cross.

But it was the trust from Liam Rosenior to start at Villa Park that felt potentially significant for his season. He was electric down the left on an evening where Chelsea found their attacking spark to blitz an erratic Aston Villa.

His involvement was undeniable and proved a key ingredient in arguably Chelsea’s most desperately needed league win of the season.

His involvement in leveling the score at Wrexham, before scoring the vital third in extra time, made him one of the few Chelsea names to walk away from a barmy cup tie with credit.

Despite not starting in the midweek loss to PSG, the suspension to Pedro Neto firmly places him in line to make consecutive league starts at home to Newcastle on Saturday night.

If he produces again, the unrelenting dislike from sections of his own support will become even more puzzling.

You can follow my coverage of Chelsea on YouTube at SonOfChelsea. More written coverage of the club on Substack. Follow me on X for more thoughts, along with listening to the podcast.