Alejandro Garnacho is in danger of mirroring Harvey Elliott's unfortunate stint at Villa Park. Two months into his loan from Chelsea, the 22-year-old winger has failed to impress Unai Emery.
Garnacho has seen a mere 31 minutes on the pitch across three substitute appearances, with his longest outing being just 15 minutes against Hull City. During the last four matches, including Villa's notable victory over Tottenham (3-2), the Argentine has been consigned to the bench. He was even overlooked in the League Cup clash against Coventry, where Emery opted for a sweeping squad rotation featuring seven changes.
After joining Chelsea from Manchester United for £40 million, Garnacho has yet to deliver, managing just a solitary goal and four assists in 24 Premier League appearances. In July, he was left out of new boss Xabi Alonso's initial plans, leading to his loan move to Aston Villa. This arrangement includes a mandatory purchase clause linked to his game time, yet Garnacho finds himself struggling against competition from George Hemmings, a Villa academy product, and new signing Ibrahima Mbaye.
His situation has been exacerbated by a facial injury sustained in August while in Thailand, causing him to miss the Super Cup showdown against PSG. Emery has been clear about Garnacho's current position:
Continue working. Work, work, train, and work again. When minutes come, you have to try to play well. He is improving, but right now there are other players ahead of him. George is playing fantastically. Alisson understands everything and gives the team what I need. Mbaye has reacted excellently. Garnacho is a bit behind due to preseason circumstances. It’s time to be patient.
In football circles, comparisons to Harvey Elliott's loan from Liverpool are already being drawn. Emery quickly dismissed Elliott, giving him only four appearances before opting against a £35 million permanent transfer. If Garnacho cannot shift Emery's scepticism soon, his career could be heading for a similar dead end.
