When Chelsea pried Alejandro Garnacho away from Manchester United last summer, the move was heralded as a masterstroke in the predatory transfer marke...
When Chelsea pried Alejandro Garnacho away from Manchester United last summer, the move was heralded as a masterstroke in the predatory transfer market. The young South American arrived with a reputation for blistering pace, swagger, and the kind of fearless dribbling that gets bums off seats. Yet twelve months on, the Stamford Bridge faithful are still waiting for the sequel. His debut campaign has been, to be charitable, a tale of flashes rather than fireworks. He has not bombed, not quite, but for a fee of that magnitude and the hype that accompanied his arrival, the return has been thin gruel.Now, with whispers of a summer shake up circulating through the corridors of power in west London, a familiar predator is circling. GoalZaza understands that Xabi Alonso, the architect of Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable resurgence, is monitoring Garnacho's predicament with significant interest. The Spanish tactician, who has rebuilt his reputation on the back of meticulous planning and a clear tactical identity, sees the Argentine as a potential solution to an attacking void in his squad. It is a classic piece of opportunism. Alonso knows that a player who has lost his way in the cacophony of Stamford Bridge might just rediscover his rhythm in the more structured environs of the Bundesliga.Let's be honest, this is a move that makes sense for all parties. Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, have been desperately trying to impose a coherent attacking pattern, but Garnacho has often looked like a square peg in a round hole. His best work comes in transitional phases, running directly at defenders with the ball at his feet, yet Chelsea's style demands more positional discipline and intricate combination play. It is a mismatch that has left the player frustrated and the manager scratching his head. Alonso, by contrast, thrives on explosive wide players who can stretch a low block and then cut inside to finish. Garnacho fits that profile like a glove. The reported £60 million asking price is steep, but in today's market, for a 22 year old with his pedigree, it is a risk Alonso appears willing to take.Of course, the Saudi Arabian interest adds a layer of complexity. Those clubs can offer wages that make even Roman Abramovich's old regime blush. But if Garnacho harbours any ambition to play at the highest level in Europe, particularly under a coach as esteemed as Alonso, the decision should be straightforward. This is a chance for the player to rectify a career that has stalled, for Alonso to plug a hole in his squad with a player of genuine quality, and for Chelsea to recoup a significant chunk of their outlay. It is the kind of three way dance that makes the summer window so compelling. Maresca's gamble on Garnacho has not paid off. Now, Alonso is ready to offer the youngster a lifeline. Watch this space.
