Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has urged the Blues to cut their losses and sell Alejandro Garnacho after his disappointing first season at Stamford Bridge. The 21-year-old Argentine winger arrived from Manchester United last summer for £40 million, having fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. Despite showing flashes of his talent at United, Garnacho has struggled to make an impact in west London, scoring just one goal in the Premier League and starting only five league games since the turn of the year.
Reports suggest Chelsea are ‘open to offers’ for Garnacho, who is under contract until 2031. Cundy believes the club would be wise to cash in as they look to raise funds for new signings this summer. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: ‘You were buying someone who had a reputation both good and bad, depending on who you want to listen to, but also knew the Premier League. He infuriates me at times, how his first touch is always backwards or sideways.’
Cundy added: ‘I’d like to see him be a little bit more courageous. We saw Jesse (Derry) make his first start, and I loved the way he took on the centre-half, the full-back, until he got the head injury. I want to see Garnacho do that, because he’s a bit predictable at times. So yeah, I think I’d probably sell.’
Cundy also urged Chelsea to consider offloading fellow winger Jamie Gittens, whose maiden season at the club has been blighted by injury and a lack of game time. The Englishman joined from Borussia Dortmund last summer but has managed just two assists in the league and has not featured since picking up an injury in late January. ‘I don’t know how many games he’s played but if he’s got to double figures, I can’t remember them,’ Cundy said. ‘I remember the goal in the League Cup away at Wolves. I have sympathy, he’s had his own injury problems. But I think those wide areas do need some attention, and he’d be one that I would make way for that.’
Chelsea are set to face Manchester City in the FA Cup final this weekend, with victory potentially providing a route into European football. Callum McFarlane’s side currently sit ninth in the league, four points behind Brighton in seventh.
