Chelsea started the 2025-26 season as world champions, having brushed aside Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup final back in July under Enzo Maresca. That win came right after their Conference League title in May 2025, handing the west London side two trophies in one go. But the usual chaos at Chelsea didn’t stay away for long.
Maresca left on New Year’s Day 2026, with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League and trailing 15 points behind leaders Arsenal. Liam Rosenior, fresh off taking Strasbourg into Europe during his first Ligue 1 season, stepped in on January 6, 2026, with a massive contract running until 2032. Three months into the Rosenior era, Chelsea hit a rough patch of four losses in a row before a 7-0 FA Cup thrashing of Port Vale gave them some breathing room. Now, the club are scrapping for a Champions League spot in a messy season that has really tested the fans’ patience.
Alejandro Garnacho linked with River Plate exit as Chelsea struggles continue
Alejandro Garnacho joined Chelsea on August 30, 2025, for a rumoured £40 million, with everyone expecting his speed and directness to ignite Rosenior’s frontline. That just hasn’t happened. In 20 Premier League games this season, the 21-year-old has found the net only once. He currently sits 13th on Chelsea’s own scorers list, which is a stat that is hard to justify for a player of his calibre.
The Argentine forward’s league output comes to one goal and four assists in 1,125 minutes, with an average FotMob rating of 6.99. Reports out of Argentina from TyC Sports journalist Gonzalo Carol suggest that River Plate boss Eduardo Coudet has reached out to Garnacho personally to discuss a move this summer, and Chelsea seem open to a one-year loan. But this rumour is complicated.
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Garnacho has gone on record saying his family supports Boca Juniors, River Plate’s biggest rivals in Buenos Aires. With a market value of €40 million on Transfermarkt, his wages would also be a massive roadblock for any Argentine team. On top of that, Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad has moved on; Garnacho has eight caps but no international goals, so a move to the Argentine Primera Division probably won’t help him get back into the national team. (Via GOAL)
Scorzo’s Take
Shipping Garnacho off to River Plate on loan looks like an easy way for Chelsea to duck a tough reality. They spent £40 million on a player who has made almost no impact in their league season, and a temporary move doesn’t change that. A loan to South America might do Garnacho some good on a personal level. Getting consistent minutes, being back in a familiar culture, and escaping the heavy pressure at Stamford Bridge could help him find his spark again.
But for Chelsea, the benefits are less clear. The winger is signed until 2032, and hiding him abroad for a year doesn’t answer the big question, and that is, does he actually fit Rosenior’s tactics, or should they sell him now while his value is still decent? Chelsea have a habit of signing players to long-term deals only for them to get lost in the shuffle.
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Garnacho is at risk of becoming just another name on that list. The River Plate rumours also feel like typical South American transfer talk, as the pay gap between England and Argentina is huge, and the player’s own loyalties make this specific move feel odd. If Chelsea still believe in his talent, they should give him a full pre-season under Rosenior instead of a loan that looks more like a quick fix than a real footballing strategy.
