Former Chelsea player, Craig Burley has told the club boss, Liam Rosenior that he cannot risk starting Alejandro Garnacho against Arsenal in next week’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
The Blues kept up their strong start under their new manager by coming back strongly in the second half during their match against West Ham on Saturday.
Rosenior’s team was booed when they went off at halftime because they were behind 2-0, but Stamford Bridge was loud and excited at the end after Enzo Fernandez scored the winning goal in stoppage time.
The new manager, who took over from Enzo Maresca, has now won six out of his seven games so far. It was his decision to bring on new players during the match that changed the game.
The Hammers had been in control at halftime, but the substitutions helped turn the situation around.
The choice to take off Garnacho at halftime turned out to be very important because he played very poorly in the first half.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka comfortably pocketed Garnacho and exposed his lack of defensive aptitude, playing a part in goals from Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville.
Chelsea made such a big improvement in the second half and Burley feels Rosenior now has enough proof to say Garnacho should sit on the bench when they face the Gunners.
This is despite that it was Garnacho’s two goals that helped Chelsea come back into the game two weeks ago.
“Alejandro Garnacho is the kind of player who comes on around the 75th to 80th minute when everyone is really tired and there’s some space for him to show his speed.
“But as a starter for Chelsea? No, no,” said Burley to ESPN FC.