Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has delivered a strong message to Alejandro Garnacho, urging the young Argentine forward to change his mindset and improve his work ethic if he wishes to avoid being labelled an expensive disappointment at Stamford Bridge. The Argentina international, who joined Chelsea from Manchester United last summer for a £40 million (₹454 crore) fee, has struggled to adapt to life in West London since his big-money move.
Wright-Phillips, who featured in more than 120 matches for the Blues, believes that the 21-year-old must undergo a major attitude shift to succeed in the Premier League. Speaking to Sky Bet, he said, “I feel like he may need to put his ego a little bit in check. Because in the Premier League, half a season or even one season is not good enough. To be at a level where top clubs want to buy you, consistency is absolutely key.”
Despite making 23 Premier League appearances this season, Garnacho has scored only once, a statistic that has frustrated both fans and pundits. With Chelsea’s squad brimming with attacking options, Wright-Phillips emphasised that no player, including Garnacho, can afford to take their position for granted. “It’s okay scoring sometimes,” he said, “but I know the Chelsea fans – the least they expect from you is 110%. If they see you working hard for that badge, they will back you. I don’t know whether it’s tactical or because he’s unhappy, but with nearly six or seven wingers in the squad, he’ll have to raise his game because someone like [Jamie] Gittens could easily step up at any time.”
Earlier this year, Garnacho expressed his pride in representing Chelsea despite the club’s patchy form. Speaking to Premier League Productions, he said, “We know the team we have and what we can do. Sometimes things are better, sometimes worse, but I’m really proud to be here at this moment.”
The winger also spoke about his departure from Manchester United, making it clear that he holds no resentment toward his former club. “At United, I have nothing bad to say about the club or any teammates, no one. It was just a moment when life changed. My life moved on, and we have to keep looking forward,” he explained.
While Wright-Phillips’ main criticism was directed at Garnacho, he also discussed the importance of Cole Palmer’s role in Chelsea’s setup. The former England international suggested that Palmer should be given more freedom to focus on attacking play, arguing that his defensive responsibilities are limiting his influence in the final third. “When I watch him, for someone with so much ability, I don’t want him near my box,” Wright-Phillips said. “He’s the kind of player that, if you had the right team behind him, you could let him cheat a bit because you want him close to the striker to play those killer passes. They need to find a way to play him as a number 10 because he’s the maverick they need. Given what he’s achieved in such a short time, they should build the team around him.”
With Garnacho under growing pressure to prove his worth, and Palmer emerging as one of Chelsea’s brightest talents, the focus will be on how manager Mauricio Pochettino balances his young squad heading into the next campaign.
