Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has dismissed suggestions he avoided bringing on Alejandro Garnacho in Saturday's defeat against Manchester United because the winger was being jeered by his former club. The Argentina international was met with a chorus of boos as he prepared to lock horns with United, only for Blues boss Maresca to decide to bring on both Tyrique George and Malo Gusto instead.
Garnacho taunted by Man Utd fans following summer departure
Garnacho left Old Trafford to join Chelsea in a £40 million (€46m/$54m) deal in the summer transfer window, having been exiled by Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim. The 21-year-old trained separately from the main United squad until he secured his move to Stamford Bridge on August 30.
AdvertisementAFPMaresca reveals Fofana was reason why Garnacho did not feature
Garnacho looked all set to enter the fray as Chelsea pushed for an equaliser in their 2-1 defeat against United, but was overlooked in a fiery battle which saw both sides reduced to ten men. However Maresca has since revealed that he was ready to unleash Garnacho at the Theatre of Dreams, only for defender Wesley Fofana to spoil the plan by asking to be substituted.
Maresca explains in full why Garnacho remained on the bench at Man Utd
When asked if Garnacho did not take to the field because he was being taunted by the United fanbase, Maresca said: "No, also because he (Garnacho) was ready, and he was ready to go on, and then Wes asked for a change."
Garnacho made his Chelsea debut in the 2-2 draw with Brentford
Garnacho made his Chelsea debut in their 2-2 draw with Brentford in the Premier League on September 13, emerging as a substitute. He also came off the bench in his side’s 3-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener on Wednesday evening.