On the back of an impressive performance against Benfica in the Champions League, Marc Cucurella has heaped praise on a new Chelsea signing and labelled him ‘a very important player.’
On the back of consecutive losses in the Premier League, the Blues managed to scrape out an important 1-0 win against Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
New Chelsea signing Alejandro Garnacho was one of the better players on the night as he was involved in the move that led to Chelsea’s only goal of the match.
The move was inarguably Garnacho’s best contribution in a Chelsea shirt so far since sealing a move from Manchester United over the summer.
In the aftermath of that performance, Cucurella has not held back his praise for the Argentine international.
Given his performance against Benfica, it can be said that Garnacho is arguably the best Chelsea signing of the summer, along with Estevao Willian.
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Marc Cucurella praises Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho arrived for £40m from Manchester United in the summer and made his debut in the 2-2 draw against Brentford.
The 21-year-old was handed his first start against Lincoln in the Carabao Cup, and played his first game at Stamford Bridge against Benfica on Tuesday.
Garnacho has been an unused substitute in the defeats against United and Brighton, and he will be desperately hoping for a start against Liverpool on Saturday.
He has shown glimpses in the minutes he’s had, and Cucurella believes he’s a “very important” player for Chelsea.
“He is a very important player with a lot of qualities,” he said as quoted by BBC Sport.
“It is true in the league that we have had ten men a lot and it is difficult to put on a winger because we have been mostly defending.
“I think today he had an opportunity and showed his level and that he can help the team.
“He had a really good game and I hope he can do it again on Saturday (at home to Liverpool).”
While Garnacho has had an impressive start to life as a Chelsea player, the same cannot be said for Jamie Gittens, who has struggled to hit the ground running since his move from Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea paid an initial £48m for the England under-21 international, and on the early evidence, he’s a long way off the level required.
Gittens is still young and there’s plenty of time for him to come good, but the reality is Chelsea need him to start performing sooner rather than later.
Chelsea news and related links
- Jamie Carragher’s blistering verdict take leaves Chelsea fans with questions
- Enzo Maresca delivers his verdict on Alejandro Garnacho's performance against Lincoln City
- Chelsea facing major defensive crisis with two fresh injury concerns