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Enzo Maresca has managed the Argentine carefully,Alejandro Garnacho has sent an honest Chelsea message following his first start since joining from Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
The Argentine has been managed carefully by Enzo Maresca having not had a proper pre-season. Before his start against Lincoln in the Carabao Cup third round, Garnacho had played just 33 minutes for the Blues and remained an unused substitute in the defeat to his former club last weekend.
The Blues initially fell behind to their League One opponents but quickfire goals from Facundo Buonanotte and Tyrique George turned the tie on its head. With his match sharpness perhaps still lacking, Maresca chose to sub Garnacho off just before the hour mark.
Just 15 minutes earlier, he and his teammates were receiving harsh words from Maresca, as confirmed by the Chelsea boss himself.
When asked in his post-match press conference if he delivered some angry words, the Italian said: "Absolutely, absolutely [laughs]. No, because we prepared the game thinking exactly in the way it was the first-half, and sometimes it's not about desire, it's about winning second ball, but it's also about experience.
"Jamie Gittens never played against League One [teams], these kind of games. Jorrel never played this kind of game. This kind of game, you have to play in a different way, you have to play in a different way. It's more about desire, and we struggled in the first half."
Garnacho was the first Chelsea player taken off, which could actually increase the chances of a start this weekend against Brighton. That is because Cole Palmer is dealing with a groin injury and Buonanotte cannot face his parent club.
Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto are, therefore, certain starters, and Garnacho's minutes are likely to continue increasing. The 21-year-old has since sent a clear message to Instagram following the Lincoln victory.
Alongside a photo of him applauding the away supporters, he said: "Happy to be in the next round [thumbs up emoji]. Can't wait to see you at home on Saturday [two blue heart emojis]."
Over the coming months, Garnacho will receive plenty of game time with Chelsea, aiming to compete in four competitions.
Their final outing before the October international break is a Premier League clash against Liverpool, the final of three consecutive home games.
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