Football
24 Jan 2025
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Enzo Maresca Coy on Chelsea’s Pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has remained tight-lipped regarding the club’s potential move for Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho. The 20-year-old Argentine winger has been heavily linked with a late transfer to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea reportedly considering a formal bid of around £60 million. Alejandro Garnacho’s growing reputation and performances have also drawn interest from Serie A side Napoli.

Chelsea’s Interest in Alejandro Garnacho

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Chelsea have been extensively linked to Alejandro Garnacho / IMAGO / One Inch Productions | Visionhaus

Alejandro Garnacho’s Rising Profile

Alejandro Garnacho has emerged as one of the most promising young wingers in Europe. His ability to impact games with his pace, dribbling, and creativity has made him a valuable asset for Manchester United. At just 20 years old, Garnacho has already displayed the potential to become a star player in the Premier League.

Chelsea’s interest in Alejandro Garnacho has been ongoing for several weeks, with reports suggesting that the Blues are preparing a formal offer to secure his services. However, competition from Napoli and United’s potential reluctance to sell to a rival could complicate the deal.

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Enzo Maresca plays down the links / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Enzo Maresca on Current Squad Options

Confidence in Existing Wingers

When asked about Chelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho, Maresca expressed satisfaction with the wingers currently at his disposal. He highlighted the depth and quality within his squad, emphasizing faith in players like Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho, and young prospect Tyrique George.

“I’m happy with what we have in this moment,” Maresca said. “On the right side, it is Pedro [Neto] and Noni [Madueke]; on the left, Jadon [Sancho]. Misha [Mudryk] was with us, but now he is not, and Tyrique [George], I think, is a young profile that can help us. In this moment, we are okay.”

Open to Opportunities

While Maresca appears content with his current options, he did not completely rule out potential signings in the January transfer window. He acknowledged that the club’s sporting directors are closely monitoring the market for opportunities.

“With the club, the sporting directors, we pay attention if something can happen,” Maresca explained. “But at the moment, ten days to go, we haven’t done anything. We just called back Trev [Trevoh Chalobah]. We will see in the next ten days if something is going to happen.”

Chelsea’s Midfield Dilemma

Injuries to Key Players

In addition to rumors surrounding Alejandro Garnacho, Chelsea are dealing with injuries to key midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia. Fernandez is expected to return soon, but Lavia’s recovery timeline remains uncertain. Maresca confirmed that the Belgian international could need “a few weeks more” on the sidelines.

These injuries have led to speculation that Chelsea might target a new midfielder or recall loanees Andrey Santos or Lesley Ugochukwu from Strasbourg and Southampton, respectively. However, Maresca firmly dismissed the idea of adding another midfielder to the squad.

Maresca’s Confidence in Midfield Depth

Despite the limited options available, Maresca believes Chelsea have sufficient depth to navigate the current situation. He pointed to the versatility of players like Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Fernandez as reasons for his confidence.

“No. In this moment, I think we have enough players to cover the situation, with Moi [Caicedo], with Enzo… the last game, Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] played there,” Maresca said. “At the moment, the intention is not to go for one more midfielder.”

Potential Transfer Scenarios

Alejandro Garnacho’s Availability

The potential signing of Alejandro Garnacho could provide Chelsea with a dynamic option in the wide areas. However, with Manchester United unlikely to let one of their brightest talents leave easily, any move would require Chelsea to meet the reported £60 million asking price. Alejandro Garnacho’s appeal to other clubs, such as Napoli, further complicates Chelsea’s pursuit.

Long-Term Plans

Maresca’s reluctance to make January signings suggests that Chelsea are focused on building a cohesive squad for the long term rather than reacting to short-term challenges. By placing trust in the current roster and academy prospects like Tyrique George, Maresca aims to balance immediate competitiveness with sustainable development.

Conclusion

Chelsea’s rumored pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho has added intrigue to the January transfer window. While Enzo Maresca has downplayed the need for reinforcements, the possibility of a late move for the Argentine winger cannot be entirely ruled out. As the clock ticks down, Chelsea’s decisions in the coming days could significantly shape the remainder of their season.

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