Alejandro Garnacho is under the spotlight once again — this time not for his talent, but for his attitude. The 21-year-old winger, who joined Chelsea from Manchester United late in the summer transfer window, has been told to drop what some perceive as arrogance if he wants to fulfil his potential for both club and country.
Ruggeri questions Garnacho’s mindset
Garnacho’s transfer saga was one of the stories of the summer. Frozen out by Ruben Amorim at Manchester United after being placed in the so-called “bomb squad,” the Argentine winger pushed for a move to Stamford Bridge and finally got his wish at the end of August.
However, since arriving in West London, his form has been inconsistent. He’s made seven appearances, playing 331 minutes and scoring his first Chelsea goal in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Sunderland.
Despite that milestone, former World Cup winner Oscar Ruggeri has called on Garnacho to “calm his ego” and stop believing his own hype.
“He’s no better than anyone else. You’re a football player — enjoy it, but you shouldn’t be so full of yourself,” Ruggeri told ESPN (via TNT Sports). “It’s pointless because you miss out on so much. Someone has to bring him down to earth. They’re not calling him up to the national team. If he comes back down to earth like he was, they’ll call him up again because he’s phenomenal on the pitch.” — Oscar Ruggeri, former Argentina international
The 1986 World Cup winner’s comments come amid speculation that Garnacho’s attitude has also raised eyebrows inside the Argentina national team setup. Manager Lionel Scaloni hasn’t called him up since November 2024, despite the winger previously being seen as one of the country’s brightest young talents.
Garnacho’s slow Chelsea start
Garnacho’s start at Chelsea has shown flashes of quality but also inconsistency. While his speed and flair remain evident, his overall influence on matches has been limited compared to expectations following his £45m switch from Old Trafford.
| Stat (2025/26) | Alejandro Garnacho |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 7 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 85% |
| Successful Dribbles per Game | 0.8 (50%) |
| Key Passes per Game | 0.3 |
source: Sofascore match data – 29 October 2025
Garnacho’s playing time under Enzo Maresca has also been limited due to Chelsea’s depth in attacking positions, with Jamie Gittens competing for a starting spot.
Our View
Oscar Ruggeri’s criticism may sound harsh, but it reflects a growing sentiment around Garnacho’s career trajectory. The young Argentine has world-class potential, but as his struggles at both Manchester United and now Chelsea show, mentality and maturity remain key areas for improvement.
If he channels his energy into consistency and discipline, there’s no doubt he has the raw talent to become a top Premier League winger — and work his way back into Argentina’s World Cup plans.
For now, though, Chelsea fans will hope his first goal is a turning point rather than another false dawn.
Key Insights
- Oscar Ruggeri has criticised Garnacho’s “ego,” saying he must “come back down to earth.”
- Garnacho joined Chelsea from Manchester United this summer after falling out with Ruben Amorim.
- The winger has played 7 games, scored 1 goal, and completed 85% of his passes this season.
- Lionel Scaloni has not called him up to the Argentina squad since November 2024.
- Garnacho’s focus now is to regain form and earn his international return.
What’s Next
Chelsea return to action on Saturday, 1 November, as they travel to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a massive London derby. Garnacho will be eager to build on his first goal and prove that his attitude off the pitch won’t stop him from shining on it.
👉 Can Alejandro Garnacho rediscover his focus and fulfil his potential at Chelsea?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 30 Oct 2025 08:46
Give it some rest and time. He has just joined Chelsea, didnt play at United during the summer - it will all come good
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