Chelsea are learning to embrace Alejandro Garnacho’s best attribute

With another tremendous performance to help Chelsea survive a very tough Wrexham side in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, Alejandro Garnacho, written off as someone the Blues would immediately try to sell this summer transfer window, is playing himself back into the good graces of the Blues faithful.

Garnacho will never be mistaken for the most consistent player, and the word frustrating often comes to mind with him. His antics and perceived selfishness did not curry him favor at Manchester United after an initial honeymoon period and a strong endorsement from his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.

But the gem who followed in Wayne Rooney’s footsteps with an epic bicycle kick has finally begun to show those same qualities for Chelsea in the last couple of weeks, with great skill and technical ability.

The attributes that are shining through the most, though, are more intangible. Garnacho’s perseverance, relentlessness, and ability to cause chaos through effort and explosiveness by getting himself in the right positions over and over again are becoming massive for Chelsea.

Look at his goal against Wrexham to give Chelsea a crucial 3-2 lead. His run off the ball and finish were exquisite, and the goal was all from his willingness to make that run at the back post, ghosting in for the goal.

Garnacho has a fire about him, and while he will frustrate by missing chances or losing the ball, the fact of the matter is that he will keep attacking defenses repeatedly and almost shamelessly.

With players like Pedro Neto hoarding possession but not being incisive, while others like Marc Guiu and Liam Delap just do not have the quality to make things happen, Garncho adding another dimension to the attack on that left wing is an important development; Chelsea need to find a way to harness and embrace Garnacho’s intensity and chaos making.