Garnacho stirs excitement among Chelsea fans

The 1-0 win against Tottenham returned Chelsea to the Premier League's top four, yet the main attention post-match was on Alejandro Garnacho and his disputed response to being taken off in the 66th minute.

At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Chelsea secured the win thanks to Joao Pedro's solitary goal in the 34th minute. However, the crowd's attention quickly turned to Alejandro Garnacho – the Argentine player trusted by coach Enzo Maresca to start his fourth consecutive Premier League game since joining from Manchester United.

Garnacho played actively on the left flank, creating several dangerous chances and troubling Tottenham’s defense. Yet, in the 66th minute, with Chelsea leading 1-0, Maresca decided to substitute him for Jamie Gittens. This decision visibly upset the 20-year-old, who shook his head repeatedly before sitting alone on the bench with a disappointed expression.

This action immediately sparked controversy on social media. Some Chelsea fans expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that Garnacho should learn to control his emotions and respect the coach’s decisions.

One supporter commented: “Does Garnacho think he will always play the full 90 minutes? At Chelsea, every player must be ready for rotation.” Another fan added: “Someone needs to remind him this isn’t Manchester United. This is Chelsea, where every position is fiercely contested.”

However, there were also voices supporting Garnacho. One fan wrote: “He didn’t deserve to be subbed off so early; Garnacho clearly performed better than Gittens.” Another remarked: “That was a sign of passion for the game, not disrespect.”

In reality, since joining Chelsea, Garnacho has yet to play a full 90 minutes in the Premier League. Nonetheless, he is gradually proving his worth with his speed, skill, and fiery spirit. In the previous match against Sunderland, he scored the consolation goal in The Blues’ 1-2 defeat.

After the game, analysts considered Garnacho’s reaction understandable for a young player eager to get more playing time. Coach Maresca continues to trust him, viewing him as a key piece in Chelsea’s long-term plans. The win over Tottenham lifted The Blues to fourth place with 17 points from 10 matches, maintaining their early-season consistency.

Related articles

Chelsea manager: 'Don’t expect me to trade Caicedo for anyone' Following Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham in the London derby, coach Enzo Maresca praised Moises Caicedo and highlighted the team’s impressive form as they returned to the Premier League’s top four. See more