Liam Rosenior led his team to a 3-1 victory over Wolves on Saturday. Although Chelsea managed a solid win, the manager had some concerns.
Two penalties from Cole Palmer and another well-executed goal from him secured the win for Chelsea, helping the team maintain a four-point lead over Liverpool. This result reinforced their position in fifth place.
Rosenior celebrated his fourth consecutive Premier League win as manager, becoming the first English coach to achieve this since Craig Shakespeare in 2017 and the first at Chelsea since Maurizio Sarri.
Despite this success, the 41-year-old expressed dissatisfaction, noting that Chelsea had not yet delivered a complete 90-minute performance under his guidance. After nine games, he remains concerned about a lack of consistency and an attitude issue from one player.
Alejandro Garnacho’s Frustration
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Chelsea’s young squad is eager to make an impression, leading to some frustration at times. Many players have strong beliefs about their suitability for starting positions.
Alejandro Garnacho is one such player. Signed for £40 million last summer, he has yet to fully prove his worth, though there are signs that he can contribute. His pressing and competitiveness against Pafos highlighted the qualities Rosenior values. Additionally, his two goals against Arsenal demonstrated his finishing ability.
However, he has faced challenges as well. He struggled in Rosenior’s first match and was substituted at halftime during a recent win over West Ham.
On Saturday, Kieran Gill reported for The Mail that Garnacho expressed frustration at goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for not releasing the ball quickly during a counter-attack.
Garnacho’s Adjustment to Rosenior’s Plans
Garnacho often seems to prioritize his personal performance over the team’s needs. In crucial moments, Chelsea needed to manage the pace of the game, especially after Wolves had just scored.
While Sanchez was focused on maintaining possession and slowing the game down, Garnacho appeared more intent on improving his personal stats. Despite his youth, he possesses significant experience but still needs refinement.
If Garnacho aims to secure a regular place in the starting lineup, he must shift his focus to supporting the team. Until then, he is likely to remain a substitute option.