Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has now dropped his verdict on Alejandro Garnacho after the former Manchester United star’s impact in the Champions League against Benfica.
Alejandro Garnacho has made four appearances for the Blues across all competitions this season after Chelsea signed him from Manchester United in the summer.
However, the 21-year-old Spain-born winger has not netted or picked up an assist for Chelsea since his £40m transfer to Stamford Bridge in August.
Enzo Maresca started Garnacho for Chelsea’s second Champions League match of the 2025-26 campaign and the former United star played a key role in the contest.
Pedro Neto floated in a dangerous cross from the right side in the first half and the 25-year-old Portuguese winger’s ball into the box found Garnacho at the back post.
Chelsea star Garnacho proceeded to redirect his sliding effort across the Benfica net and Benfica midfielder Richard Rios inadvertently put the ball past Anatoliy Trubin.
Enzo Maresca reacted to Alejandro Garnacho’s Chelsea performance in the Champions League win vs Benfica
Alejandro Garnacho made way in the second half of the Champions League contest after Enzo Maresca took him off and replaced him with Jamie Gittens on Tuesday.
Chelsea maintained their lead over Benfica in the second half of the Champions League, but the Blues were reduced to 10 men after Joao Pedro’s sending off.
The Blues held their nerve against Benfica in second-half injury time after Joao Pedro was dismissed and Chelsea clinched all three points at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to TNT Sports after Chelsea’s 1-0 win on Tuesday evening, Maresca praised what Garnacho showed in the final third for his side against Benfica.
“Garnacho was very good today,” he said, as per quotes from Fabrizio Romano.
“Not only on the ball but defensively… he was very good in the way he pressed.
“In the last third, he has freedom to go one-v-one when he decides. To arrive in the box is important because it’s from there we score.”
Alejandro Garnacho is slowly building momentum at Chelsea after the former Man Utd winger’s exit at Old Trafford
Garnacho made 144 appearances for the Manchester United first team during his spell at Old Trafford and netted 26 times and registered 22 assists for his side.
The Chelsea summer signing had been viewed as a United youth academy success story after impressing with his flair and hunger as an attacking talent at the club.
Considered a United fan-favourite during his time at Old Trafford, Garnacho lifted a League Cup and an FA Cup under former Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag.
However, Garnacho did not share the same experience that he did at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag compared with what he did under Ruben Amorim.
The Chelsea player’s relationship with United manager Ruben Amorim fractured at the tail end of last season and later resulted in Garnacho’s exit from the club.
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