Alejandro Garnacho’s Chelsea debut ended in frustration as the Blues were pegged back to a 2-2 draw against Brentford on Saturday, with the young winger blamed for a costly defensive lapse in the final moments.
Enzo Maresca’s side looked set to climb to the top of the Premier League table after Moises Caicedo’s stunning 85th-minute strike, but Fabio Carvalho’s stoppage-time equaliser rescued a point for the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Former Premier League midfielder Jamie Redknapp criticised Garnacho on Sky Sports, insisting the Argentine failed in his defensive duties at the crucial moment. Garnacho had been tasked with marking Carvalho during a long throw-in but lost focus, allowing the Brentford midfielder to ghost in and score.
“Garnacho has got a job to do—he’s got to mark Carvalho. That’s your job, simple as that. Don’t lose him. But Garnacho just falls asleep at the vital moment,” Redknapp said. “The ball comes in from (Kevin) Schade, Garnacho’s not concentrating, they get the contact, and there Carvalho is at the back post.”
The 20-year-old, who joined Chelsea this summer, came off the bench alongside Cole Palmer and helped create Caicedo’s late goal. However, his defensive mistake overshadowed what could have been a dream debut for the former Manchester United man.
Chelsea must quickly regroup as they prepare for a tough Champions League opener against Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday before facing United in a blockbuster Premier League clash next weekend.
