ALEJANDRO GARNACHO is already a man playing for his Chelsea future.
And the Argentine forward performed like someone with a point to prove in Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round win at Wrexham.
Garnacho forced the own goal for Chelsea’s equaliser before putting the Blues ahead for the first time in the game with a sweet volley in extra-time.
It was a display packed with the direct running and confidence that made him such an exciting prospect as a teenager at Manchester United.
At Old Trafford, his age, potential, and academy come-up afforded him time and grace.
But with the revolving door at Stamford Bridge as busy as ever, Garnacho knows there are plenty fighting with him for the same left-sided starting spot.
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One of those is 18-year-old Sporting wonderkid, Geovany Quenda, who will arrive at the club next summer for £44million with a level of potential similar to that of Estevao.
Jamie Gittens is also trying to prove himself at Stamford Bridge following his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund in 2025.
The expectation is that the Portuguese teenager Quenda will feature on that flank, with little room for three left-wingers in West London.
So Garnacho, who cost Chelsea £40m, needs to start showing consistency, something he was unable to do at Old Trafford.
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Much like his time in Manchester, he has shown flashes of potential, with the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal the clear highlight.
But those bright moments have been too few and far between.
Garnacho proved on Saturday night that he can do it against Championship opposition.
Next, he needs to show up against the Champions League holders.
A tricky trip to Paris to face PSG follows on Wednesday, a game that may allow a bit more space for the likes of Garnacho to show what he can do, if he is selected to start.
The winger added, “In football, you need a full squad to win trophies because we play every three days.
“You have to trust in everyone, and we have great players.
“Now we’re in the quarter-finals, and we will try to win the FA Cup. It’s always good to win a trophy.”
The selection of Garnacho will be a decision Rosenior needs to make fast, as the Blues boss has at times preferred Pedro Neto on the left, or even Enzo Fernandez, with the left back pushing higher up the pitch.
Chelsea have struggled this season against low defensive blocks, where players like Garnacho are vital in terms of operating in tight spaces and beating their fullback.
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PSG, though, will attack Chelsea on their own turf and be keen to get revenge for their 3-0 Club World Cup final demolition.
Garnacho wasn’t a part of the Chelsea squad at all for that final.
It was Neto who started on the left, with Cole Palmer on the right and Enzo Fernandez through the middle.
Rosenior may opt for a similar setup in Paris to what worked so well in the States, but Garnacho, at least, has given him a selection headache before the trip.