Chelsea star’s six-word message to Garnacho speaks volumes after first training session

Alejandro Garnacho's new Chelsea colleague Wesley Fofana has offered a glimpse into what awaits the winger in west London.

The 21-year-old completed his switch to the Blues from Manchester United on transfer deadline day in a deal valued at £40million. The South American has been adapting to life under Enzo Maresca during his initial training sessions with the club.

Footage shared on social media captured Garnacho being put through his paces during his debut training session. This intensity might come as little shock given the winger spent the entire pre-season working in isolation at the Red Devils, after being relegated to United's notorious 'Bomb Squad' of exiled players.

There was little mercy shown for Garnacho in west London, as evidenced by Fofana's sharp reaction to his struggles. During his inaugural training session, Garnacho appeared to be gasping for air as he endured the demanding workout.

The opening moments of the footage reveal him seated on the ground with his legs extended as a Chelsea coach instructed: "Take a stretch, have a breather, take your time!"

The subsequent clip featured the United academy product shaking his head and declaring: "I can't move my legs now man. That sprint in the last one."

Observing his new colleague's breathless state, Fofana, who has endured his own lengthy injury struggles at Stamford Bridge, remarked: "Welcome to Chelsea Football Club, eh."

The Frenchman's brief yet stern message to Garnacho emphasised the need for relentless hard work in training if he is to flourish in west London. He faces stiff competition within the Blues' ranks, as he will be up against £52m summer signing Jamie Gittens, the dynamic Pedro Neto and Brazilian sensation Estevao Willian.

With Cole Palmer also primarily featuring as a No. 10 and strikers Liam Delap and Joao Pedro making an impact on the pitch when deployed together, Garnacho may also find himself vying with the latter.

The international break provides him with an opportunity to acclimatise to life in the capital, as Argentina opted not to call him up for their fixtures against Venezuela and Ecuador.

He joins a bustling Stamford Bridge, where the Blues have kicked off the Premier League season on a positive note. A tense 0-0 draw was followed by a 5-1 away thrashing of West Ham, before the Blues narrowly overcame local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

The forward could make his debut when Chelsea visit Brentford in their first match after the international break. Garnacho has also been named in Chelsea's squad for the Champions League, potentially setting him up for a showdown with Bayern Munich in their first Champions League encounter since the 2022-23 campaign.

He will then be eager for the Blues' next Premier League fixture, which will mark his first return to Old Trafford and a reunion with United boss Ruben Amorim.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.