It appears that Chelsea is once again gathering all the broad attackers they can get.
On the deadline day, in a deal that lasted months in the pipeline, Bruce confirmed the £40 million signature on Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho’s reporting fee.
This summer alone, the Bruce had already added Estevan Willian, Jamie Gittens, Joan Pedro and Kendry Paes to the ranks.
But does this ongoing massive summer spending actually block the pathways of Cobham’s most talented youth?
Will Alejandro Garnacho improve Chelsea?
Despite the fact that the transfer has been on the card since May, it remains unclear where Garnacho will fit in Chelsea.
As already implied, they have a wealth of offensive options, especially in Garnacho’s preferred left-wing position. The Gitens began on the first day of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace, and Pedro Neto nodded to the next two matches.
So, when we estimate Garnacho’s Premier League statistics last season and compare them with Chelsea players, how does Argentina International compare? Let’s look into it.
Garnacho PL Stats 2024/25 | ||
|---|---|---|
statistics | Garnacho | Chelsea Rank |
the goal | 6 | No. 5 |
assist | 2 | Number 8 |
shot | 84 | Second |
Target shot | 29 | Fourth |
Target % shot | 34.5% | 10 days |
Goal-XG | -1.3 | 20th |
Shot creation action | 83 | No. 5 |
Goal Creation Action | 6 | Number 8 |
Progressive Carry | 141 | Second |
All statistics provided by fbref.com | ||
As outlined by the table, among Chelsea players last season, Noni Madueke, who has now departed, registered a more progressive carry than Garnacho, but as highlighted by his 21-year-old goal, the 21-year-old is not a clinical finisher.
So, it remains to be seen whether Garnacho will actually improve Chelsea, so should Enzo Maresca give priority to the minutes of the homemade academy alumni?
Chelsea’s next Cobham Superstar
On the deadline, it appeared to be the latest Chelsea Academy alumni who was sacrificed to help Tyrike George follow Premier League profitability and sustainability rules.
Fulham has agreed to a £22 million fee to sign the teenager. George completed the medical care prior to his move to Craven Cottage.
So George has returned to Chelsea, which could turn out to be an absolute blessing.
Football analyst Ben Matinson is certainly a fan, comparing him to “young Calm Hudson Odoi,” praises his “excellent ball manipulation” and outstanding “ball strike” ability, claiming he is “one of the best in the world” of his age group.
When Hudson Odoi first explodes on the scene, it’s easy to forget how good Hudson Odoi is. Bruce rejected a £70 million bid from Bayern Munich in 2020 and eventually sold it to Nottingham Forest for £3 million.
After enjoying the breakout season in the last round, George accumulates 1,154 senior meeting minutes and scores his first Premier League goal against Fulham on Easter Sunday, and could even be better amid the 3-0 demolition of Esperence Sports de Tunis at the Club World Cup, during a 3-0 destruction with Regia Waltzzawa in the Conference League.
Most of his minutes came in the conference league, a key figure in the Blues’ 15 matches in the contest. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig is one of the “most interesting” young talents and predicts he has a “big future.”
So, we need to worry about where George’s minutes will come from, especially given that they are ready to sell him to Fulham, but giving him the opportunity should be a priority, especially given that Maresca has a ceiling higher than Garnacho.