Fabrizio Romano shares how Chelsea are now really feeling about Alejandro Garnacho

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Alejandro Garnacho has endured a slow start at Chelsea, following his £40m move from Manchester United in August.

The Argentina international has made three appearances for the Blues so far – coming across three different competitions in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and the Carabao Cup – but is yet to score or assist a goal.

These games have also involved difficult results for Chelsea, including a 2-2 draw against Brentford, a 3-1 defeat against Bayern Munich and a tricky 2-1 win over Lincoln.

Fabrizio Romano has now shared how Chelsea feel internally about Alejandro Garnacho after his tough start in west London.

Chelsea remain confident Alejandro Garnacho will be a success

The reliable Italian journalist has now told The Here We Go Podcast that those within Stamford Bridge still have faith in the 21-year-old to deliver for Chelsea.

Romano said: “It takes time. Some of these players have arrived at the end of the summer transfer window. Like Alejandro Garnacho just arrived after spending four months out of the Manchester United squad.

“They need to build his condition and his confidence, a work in progress on that for Chelsea – they remain absolutely calm on Garnacho.”

Romano makes an important point.

Garnacho was part of a ‘bomb squad’ at Manchester United alongside Antony, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho in the summer as Ruben Amorim froze the quartet out, so he missed out on a proper pre-season and is significantly behind others in terms of match fitness.

Therefore, it will take some time for Chelsea fans to see why £40m was spent to bring the Argentine to Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca has already sent Alejandro Garnacho a warning

Enzo Maresca is a strict character who will not hand his £40m signing playing time for the sake of it.

Specifically, the Italian wants the Chelsea No.49 to focus on his defensive duties.

Maresca warned Garnacho that he must improve in this respect after the 2-2 draw against Brentford, where he was at fault for leaving Fabio Carvalho free at the back post to equalise in the 93rd minute.

He said: “When we conceded the second goal against Brentford, two or three minutes before we had conceded exactly the same chance, and the player behind Garnacho was alone again. It happened two times, not only once.

“It’s why we say many times players need time to adapt. It’s a process when a player joins a new club, they need to understand how we work.”

Zero minutes for Garnacho in the 2-1 loss at Old Trafford and in the 3-1 defeat against Brighton suggests he is still not at the level Maresca demands from his players, and needs to work harder on this side of his game.