Stan Collymore claims €46.2m Chelsea ace is the best he’s “seen in the flesh this season”

Former Premier League striker Stan Collymore has hailed Alejandro Garnacho as the outstanding winger he has witnessed live this campaign, after the Argentine inspired Chelsea to a 4-1 demolition of Aston Villa at Villa Park. The 20-year-old’s €46.2 million summer switch from Manchester United is already looking money well spent, and Collymore believes the wide man’s display on Sunday was the benchmark for any flank player in the country.

Garnacho’s electric showing down the left complemented Joao Pedro’s hat-trick and Cole Palmer’s strike, a result that lifted the Blues back above Liverpool into fifth and within three points of third-placed Manchester United and fourth-placed Villa. While the Brazilian forward took the headlines, Garnacho’s relentless running, direct dribbling and defensive diligence caught the eye of pundits and supporters alike.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Collymore said: “You had Garnacho down the left-hand side, the best wide-man performance I’ve seen in the flesh this season. Malo Gusto overlapping Reece James down the right, the movement of Joao Pedro, the calm of the midfield enforcer Moises Caicedo. It really was a top-drawer performance.”

The compliment carries extra weight given Collymore’s extensive travels watching top-flight football this year, and it underlines the growing belief that Garnacho can become a consistent match-winner for the west Londoners. With six goals in 31 appearances, the Argentina youth international is beginning to marry end product to his natural flair, and assistant boss Liam Rosenior is expected to keep faith with him for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Wrexham.

Beyond individual praise, Collymore sees collective potential in Liam Rosenior’s squad. Although he still tips Arsenal to lift this season’s title, the ex-England forward believes Chelsea could gate-crash next year’s championship race if they maintain momentum and avoid the injury setbacks that have dogged recent campaigns.

“So I’m not getting carried away, I think Arsenal will win the title this season,” Collymore added. “But if Chelsea can keep everyone together and they can continue this forward momentum and get some crucial consistency, I think they could be an exceptional team moving forward.”

With the mid-season break looming and a favourable run of fixtures ahead, Stamford Bridge insiders suggest the squad is buying into Rosenior’s high-tempo, high-press blueprint. Should Garnacho reproduce Sunday’s level with regularity, Collymore’s bold prediction may yet look prescient come next May.