Joe Cole claims ‘the sky is the limit’ for Alejandro Garnacho despite his struggles at Chelsea since leaving Manchester United.
Argentine winger Garnacho has only scored one goal within the Premier League since his £40m move to Stamford Bridge last summer.
Garnacho was once some of the highly-rated players at Old Trafford but he stagnated at United and fell out of favour under former manager Ruben Amorim.
The 21-year-old had hoped to revive his profession at Chelsea, the club he supported growing up, but has to date underwhelmed in west London.
Garnacho was subbed off at half-time during Chelsea’s comeback win over West Ham at the tip of January, with Manchester United legend Gary Neville later claiming he looks ‘shot to pieces’.
Liam Rosenior brought Garnacho on in Chelsea’s next two games before the Argentine was an unused substitute in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Leeds United.
It has been suggested that Chelsea made a ‘mistake’ signing Garnacho given his poor form but Cole believes the previous Manchester United star ‘might be anything’.
Get your football fix
Don’t desire to miss the week’s biggest football stories? Metro’s exclusive football newsletter, In The Mixer, is your essential guide.
From the newest transfer rumours and managerial moves to evaluation of the largest games and rather a lot more, our experts have you ever covered.
Enroll here, it’s an open goal.
‘I might love to teach Alejandro Garnacho,’ the Stamford Bridge hero told The Sun. ‘He’s such a super-talented footballer.
‘The sky‘s the limit. He might be anything, he really could. I’d like to undergo his clips. There’s a couple of technical things he can do higher from a training performance in each boxes.
‘Because he’s not like an old-fashioned winger or a number 10, he’s a wing forward. There’s a large scope if he puts himself in higher positions.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to an online
browser that
supports HTML5
video
‘But I also think he might need somewhat arm around his shoulder and somewhat little bit of maturity by way of methods to conduct yourself as a footballer.’
Discussing Garnacho’s attitude after he publicly criticised Amorim towards the tip of his United profession, Cole added: ‘Let’s just say he’s been controversial throughout his profession.
‘I’ve played with players like that and you’re thinking that the penny will drop when the penny will drop.
Was signing Garnacho a mistake?
‘I believe Alejandro Garnacho has been disappointing since he signed for Chelsea.
‘It was a mistake to sign him, and never due to his ability, as I believe he’s talented, but Chelsea have an abundance of great wingers.
‘He could cause havoc on his day, needless to say, but one goal to date this season just isn’t enough for the cash they spent on him.’
Glen Johnson, who won the Premier League at Chelsea, speaking exclusively to Metro.
‘If I used to be coping with him, I might have really strict boundaries on the pitch, and off the pitch. Agree them with him, work with him, and just keep reminding him what a talented footballer he’s.’
Garnacho is competing with a lot of talented wingers for a spot within the Chelsea team and Cole believes it’s crucial that he feels ‘free’ to specific himself on the pitch.
‘Should you are going to take the ball into dangerous areas, you might be playing a high-tariff game,’ said Cole, who won three Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge.
‘Sometimes it will work, sometimes it just isn’t, so you’ve gotten to be mentally strong to be that style of player.
‘With him, I might just simplify it. I might get him to get back to the fundamentals of football. Take the pressure off him.
‘Are you able to get out your full back three or 4 times a half?’ Should you lose it, I don’t care. Give him the liberty to try this.
Garnacho looks ‘shot to pieces’ – Neville
‘Alejandro Garnacho is a player that divides opinion, I believe, at times,’ Neville told Sky Sports after Chelsea’s win over West Ham.
‘A number of individuals are questioning, is he top-class or where is he? Where is he within the pecking order?
‘What was difficult to look at last night was a young player like that, who’s gone to Chelsea and he looked shot to pieces by way of his confidence on that left-hand side.
‘I’m not only talking about when [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka kept going off him running forward, but actually when he got the ball, his first touch was back after which he just kept going back and giving it away.’
‘But on the flipside, once we’re off the ball, I won’t accept lack of concentration in defensive responsibilities.
‘Because that’s something that you would be able to work on. You don’t must be confident to place yourself in the correct position.
‘I’m not digging him out. I’m just saying there’s a load of scope for him to enhance. And the things that he can improve on are literally the best things.
‘He’s got the flexibility. If he added the opposite side, a bit more maturity to his game, he would feel so rather more free himself.’
After failing to feature against Leeds, Garnacho will likely be called upon in Chelsea’s FA Cup clash against Championship side Hull City on Friday night.
The Leeds stalemate leaves Chelsea fifth within the Premier League, still one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United who could only draw 1-1 with West Ham.
Chelsea finished fourth last season while winning the Europa Conference League under Enzo Maresca, who was sacked on Recent Yr’s Day.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Thomas Frank backed for brand new Premier League job after Tottenham sacking
MORE: Manchester United snub Michael Carrick and judge top alternative to develop into manager
MORE: Erling Haaland update after injury in Manchester City win over Fulham