It would be fair to say that Chelsea’s transfer strategy has delivered mixed results over the last few years.
On the one hand, players like Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo are unquestionably world-class and would get into any side in the Premier League.
On the other hand, players like Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Axel Disasi have been massive wastes of money and time.
Someone who fits in neither category, as he’s still a recent signing, is Alejandro Garnacho, but if reports are to be believed, his place in the squad might already be under threat.
Chelsea target Garnacho upgrade
It’s not even December, and Chelsea have already been linked with a host of sensational talents from the Premier League and beyond.
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For example, Crystal Palace’s incredible Adam Wharton has been touted for a £100m move to Stamford Bridge, and as if that wasn’t exciting enough, Marseille’s up-and-coming number nine, Robinio Vaz, has also been mentioned as a target.
However, as brilliant as those two players are, neither would be a threat to Garnacho were they to join the West Londoners, unlike Nico Williams.
Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea have reignited their intense interest in the Athletic Bilbao superstar.
In fact, the report goes further than that, revealing that the Blues have already made an offer of around €70m for his signature, which is about £62m.
Interestingly, the Pensioners aren’t the only London side to make an offer for the young winger, as rivals Tottenham Hotspur have submitted the same bid of around £62m.
It could therefore be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Williams’ ability and potential, one worth fighting for, even if his arrival would be bad news for Garnacho.
How Williams compares to Garnacho
So, it should be said that while he has not blown anyone away yet, Garnacho has not had a terrible start to his Chelsea career.
In fact, his return of two goals and two assists in ten games matches what Williams has been able to produce for Bilbao so far this season.
However, looking back at their records from last season, it becomes clear that the Spaniard is a far more dangerous winger.
For example, despite having a slow start to the campaign, the 23-year-old ended it with 11 goals and seven assists in 45 appearances, which is an average of a goal involvement every 2.5 games.
In contrast, the Argentine amassed a tally of 11 goals and ten assists in 58 appearances, which is an average of a goal involvement every 2.76 games.
Games
10
10
Goals
2
2
Assists
2
2
Games
45
58
Goals
11
11
Assists
7
10
Games
27
50
Goals
8
10
Assists
18
7
Unfortunately, things only get worse when you go back another season, as the Pamplona-born “level-raiser,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, ended the 23/24 season with a tally of 26 goal involvements in 37 appearances, which is an average of one every 1.42 games.
The former Manchester United ace, on the other hand, ended that year with a haul of 17 goal involvements in 50 appearances, which is one every 2.94 games.
Now, on top of clearly being the more reliable source of goals and assists, the Bilbao star has also amassed more top-level experience, especially when it comes to the international theatre.
For example, he’s now 30 senior caps for Spain and even scored a goal in the European Championships final last year.
In contrast, the Blues ace has just eight caps for Argentina, although he has yet to win one this year.
Ultimately, Garnacho is a talented footballer and someone who could be a useful squad player, but Williams is clearly the better player, and therefore, Chelsea should be doing all they can to sign him.
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