Premier League icon offers Alejandro Garnacho recommendation after Aston Villa setback
EXCLUSIVE: Alejandro Garnacho’s career has fallen off drastically over the last 18 months and the Argentina international must recover from being replaced at Chelsea by Morgan Rogers
PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – AUGUST 04: Alejandro Garnacho of Aston Villa looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Aston Villa and BG Pathum United at BG Stadium on August 04, 2026 in Pathum Thani, Thailand. (Photo by Pakawich Damrongkiattisak/Getty Images)
Alejandro Garnacho has lost his spark drastically in the last 18 months, from his downfall and unceremonious exit at Manchester United to his failed move to Chelsea.
The Argentina international had the world at his feet when he broke through as a teenager at United, scoring vital goals and starring alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in United’s frontline. But his Old Trafford career fell apart in the space of a few months under Ruben Amorim.
Despite struggling for form and causing dressing room problems, Garnacho ruined his United future by slamming Ruben Amorim after being left on the bench during the Europa League final. Weeks of childish behaviour on social media followed and all his bridges to the club and its fans were in ashes.
Garnacho scored just one league goal for Chelsea(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
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United offloaded the spoilt star to Chelsea for £40million in a move Garnacho hoped would stick two fingers up at the Red Devils as he would go on to fulfil his potential at Stamford Bridge.
But one league in his first season saw Garnacho prove United right and Chelsea fans soon turned on him too. Looking for an escape, Garnacho has joined Aston Villa on loan with an option to buy.
However, Garnacho has suffered a minor setback in the early days of his Villa career as the winger misses the UEFA Super Cup tonight against PSG due to concussion protocols.
Alejandro Garnacho is looking to rebuild his career at Aston Villa
Aston Villa sold Morgan Rogers for £117m(Image: Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
While it may look like the eight-time Argentina international has landed on his feet, Garnacho will fill the void left by Morgan Rogers, who Chelsea signed in a £117million deal from Villa.
The 24-year-old contributed to 17 goal involvements in the league last season, compared to Garnacho’s five. But former Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel has insisted that Chelsea have not pulled a fast one on Villa, and Garnacho will work out in time to be a good signing under Unai Emery.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport via Football Betting, Friedel said: “I don’t think so here; for Aston Villa, it’s a case of working under the regulatory constraints and PSR and choosing the right time to cash in on a player.
Brad Friedel played 131 times in three years for Aston Villa(Image: PA)
“It’s important for clubs like Villa to balance the bookings when operating close to the levels they do. Plus, when you have a manager like Emery, who is so talented at keeping Aston Villa in and around the Champions League spots, he will know the type of player to bring in to add value to the squad.
“So with Emery’s track record of working with players, Garnacho will be one player where Emery will work closely with to ensure he can play at his best.”
Rogers could be in line to make his Chelsea debut this weekend against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge following his extended break after his World Cup involvement with England.
