Liam Rosenior believes that Alejandro Garnacho will shine at Chelsea.

The meteoric rise of Alejandro Garnacho at Chelsea is set to gain new momentum, according to manager Liam Rosenior, who praised the young athlete as an “exceptional talent.” The Argentine winger, who joined the Blues for £40 million from Manchester United in the last transfer window, has struggled to establish himself, having started only two of the seven Premier League matches since Rosenior took charge of the team in January.

With Pedro Neto suspended following a red card in the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal, Garnacho is expected to get his big opportunity next Wednesday in the crucial match against Aston Villa. Rosenior did not hesitate to highlight the resilient character of the 21-year-old, who recently went through a “very difficult event” in his personal life. “Garna is a top player,” the manager stated.

He went on to explain that the team’s tactical adaptation, focusing on dominating central areas, has led to a more limited use of wingers. “But Garna is an exceptional player, and what I’ve really appreciated during this time is his reaction to the lack of minutes. He has trained very well and shown real positivity when he came on against Arsenal. He will certainly have opportunities in our upcoming schedule,” Rosenior declared, revealing confidence in Garnacho’s potential.

With Chelsea preparing for a demanding schedule that includes a visit to Villa Park, an FA Cup clash against Wrexham, and a trip to France for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain, Rosenior’s attacking options have been severely limited. With Estevao and Jamie Gittens still recovering from injuries, Garnacho’s presence could be crucial.

Despite having played little in the top league, Garnacho has already shown his worth by contributing to victories in the FA Cup against Charlton and Hull, as well as scoring twice from the bench in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal. “It’s important to remember that Garna is only 21 years old. He has enormous ability and potential, and for any young player, the biggest challenge is maintaining a level of consistency,” Rosenior noted.

The coach also emphasized that Garnacho is showing signs of development not only in training but also in his participation in team meetings. “He is on the right path. All Garna needs to do is keep working hard, as his quality is not in question.”

At this moment, Chelsea is six points away from fourth place, held by Aston Villa, in the fight for qualification for the Champions League. Rosenior is resolute in his determination to finish the season in the top four and also aims to win a trophy. “A successful season for this club has to include qualification for the Champions League. That is the level of club we are. Despite our position, we still have a good opportunity to achieve that. Moreover, winning a trophy would be incredible, and I think it’s something achievable,” he concluded.