Garnacho’s Fresh Start: Chelsea Elevates His Champions League Return
1 octobre 2025
Garnacho’s UCL Return with Chelsea
Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho resurfaced in Champions League nights this season, after a period largely away from Europe’s top competition during his time with Manchester United.
His summer move to Chelsea gave him a fresh chance to shine again on the continent’s biggest stage.
The 21-year-old started and helped Chelsea beat Benfica 1-0 on Tuesday, in the second group stage, contributing to the decisive goal.
Garnacho’s transfer to Chelsea for 40 million pounds followed a fall‑out with United’s Portuguese boss Ruben Amorim, who had publicly criticized him.
He had previously complained about sitting on the bench in last season’s Europa League final against Tottenham, an issue that reportedly unsettled the United camp.
Speaking after the Benfica victory to TNT, Garnacho reflected on his recent spell at United, saying the period was tough to train through but he would not say anything bad about his former club. He added that there are hard moments in life, and he is very happy to be here, to play in this competition, and to collect three points.
“When you’re young, you dream of playing in Champions League nights, and here we are — I’m incredibly happy,” he said. “Three precious points, we needed them after the defeat in the first game.”
Fans at Old Trafford greeted his return with hostility, booing during warm-ups and singing that he chased money. A chant echoed a famous comparison with Carlos Tevez’s 2009 move from United to City for a record fee.
Yet Garnacho still saluted his former teammates after the game, seen speaking with Amad Diallo on the pitch following the final whistle.
In broader transfer news, United also moved on several players: Jadon Sancho was loaned to Aston Villa, Marcus Rashford linked with Barcelona on loan, while Antony and Garnacho left the club for Real Betis and Chelsea, respectively. Tyrell Malacia briefly found himself unattached before returning to the squad, and Amorim’s rotation kept him away from a number of pre-season outings before reintegrating him.
“The Escape from the Hell” defense club’s woes were laid bare by a 34-point tally after 33 Premier League games, roughly 1.03 per game, a pace that would end around 39 points for the season—reminiscent of relegation‑bound campaigns from Blackpool and Birmingham in 2010/11 when United still clinched the title.
There’s a sense among fans that the club needs swift changes, with City fans even joking that “the Reds will drop” after their 5-1 win over Burnley. If United doesn’t act, the joke could turn into a harsh reality for a club accustomed to competing at the top.
And through all the noise, Garnacho’s smile on the pitch and the Chelsea crest on his jersey may be the freshest reminder that careers, like seasons, are full of twists—and sometimes you just have to score the winner anyway.
Two light punchlines to wrap up: 1) If Garnacho keeps this pace, even his bench might become a starter’s bench—at least for his highlight reel. 2) In football, as in life, sometimes you move houses; the mortgage just happens to be a trophy-shaped one.
