Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca moved to clarify his recent, cryptic comments about a difficult 48 hours by publicly praising his squad's commitment, as summer signing Alejandro Garnacho staked a major claim for a regular starting spot with a match-winning performance.
Garnacho Makes His Mark in Cup Victory
The Blues secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over a stubborn Cardiff City side on Tuesday night. After a frustrating first half, Maresca turned to his bench, introducing Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro at the interval.
The change proved decisive. The Argentine winger, a £40 million signing from Manchester United last summer, scored two second-half goals to overturn the tie and send Chelsea through. His contribution highlighted his growing importance, especially with £52 million signing Jamie Gittens struggling for impact in the first period.
Maresca's Reassurance and Garnacho's Adaptation
The win came after a weekend where Maresca claimed to have endured 'the worst 48 hours' of his tenure, citing a lack of support from unspecified 'people'. On Tuesday, he sought to reduce the noise, thanking fans and stating he was 'falling more in love with the players'.
This sentiment extends to Garnacho. Maresca noted the 21-year-old arrived from United not in peak condition after being part of the so-called 'bomb squad', leading to initial substitute appearances. However, the manager has been impressed. 'It's been easy to work with him because he wants to learn, has an open mind, and works hard on and off the ball,' Maresca said earlier this month.
Defensive Work Ethic Wins Over Manager
Beyond his flair, it is Garnacho's defensive application that has caught Maresca's eye. This was demonstrated last month when, after Chelsea went down to 10 men against Arsenal, Garnacho was the first substitute called upon at half-time to help shore up the side, a decision vindicated by his disciplined display.
Garnacho himself appears settled, telling Sky Sports after the Cardiff win: 'As a group we are doing really well. Sometimes you have to start games and sometimes you have to help from the bench. We don't focus on this, we just try to help the team.' He added he has 'no regrets' about his summer move from Old Trafford.
Overcoming Past Perceptions for World Cup Dream
The winger's exit from Manchester United was fraught, following public disagreements with former boss Ruben Amorim, notably after being benched for the Europa League final. His history of social media activity also drew scrutiny. However, Chelsea's persistence has secured a player they believe offers clear value as a full Argentina international with major tournament experience.
With the next World Cup on the horizon, Garnacho has a powerful incentive to establish himself at Stamford Bridge. Having been frustrated to miss the 2022 squad, and with his last Argentina cap coming in November 2024, consistent performances for Chelsea are essential to force his way into the defending champions' plans for North America.
If his double against Cardiff and growing influence under Maresca are anything to go by, Garnacho is on the right path to changing the narrative and proving his worth as a potential bargain for the Blues.
