Frank Leboeuf is fearful that Chelsea can be creating more problems than solutions in the event that they were to bring Alejandro Garnacho to Stamford Bridge.
Garnacho has long been destined to depart Manchester United after a falling out with Ruben Amorim at the top of last season, but has reiterated his desire to remain within the Premier League.
Chelsea pursued a deal for the winger in January and have now reportedly reignited their efforts to bring the Argentine international to west London.
Garnacho is alleged to have already agreed personal terms with Chelsea, although the Blues still should match United’s £50m valuation before a sale is sanctioned.
The 21-year-old regsistered six goals and two assists within the league last season, but can be walking right into a team stacked with talent in wide attacking areas.
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Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer remain key players in Enzo Maresca’s side, while summer signings Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro all showed their capabilities in Chelsea’s pre-season victory over Bayer Leverkusen earlier within the week.
And with that in mind, Lebouef believes his former side should think twice about signing Garnacho, fearing that the stockpiling of talent could have antagonistic effects on the squad’s harmony.
‘No I don’t understand it (Chelsea’s interest in Garnacho), in fact not,’ he told ESPN.
‘And on top of it, I saw Gittens coming in for the last 15 minures and he really impressed me. Each time he got the ball, he made a difference. He was very impressive.
‘Garnacho will play in the identical position on the left side – I never saw Garnacho do this even when he was at the highest of his game.
‘He’s an ideal player but you’re going to pay between 50 or 60million for a man ready where you have already got the players that you just need. I don’t see Garnacho adding something higher than what they have already got.’
Lebouef continued: ‘To have it too crowded may create problems. The dressing room goes to be young and the atmosphere can change – one person can destroy it.
‘I’m not saying that may be Garnacho, it may very well be any player in the event that they don’t play and develop into moody, which creates problems within the dressing room.’
In addition to pursuing a move for Garnacho, Chelsea is also on the lookout for further defensive reinforcement after Levi Colwill’s long-term injury.
And speaking after their pre-season win versus Leverkusen, Maresca admitted that signing a brand new centre-half is now a ‘priority’ for the remaining of the window.
‘It’s a priority for me, yes, because Levi is a unbelievable player,’ Maresca told Channel 5.
‘What we achieved last season is due to him also. I really like him, I’m going to miss him. We try also to search out different solutions.’
Pressed again if Chelsea planned to sign one other centre-back before the top of the window, Maresca responded: ‘We’ll see, we’ll see.’
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