Alejandro Garnacho made an instant impact in Chelsea’s 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Cardiff and did everything he could on the pitch, despite being booed by the crowd. The 21-year-old was introduced at half-time as a substitute for Tyrik George and was jeered by the home fans at Cardiff City Stadium when he touched the ball for the first time.
Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith pointed out: “They don’t like him.” Undeterred by the hostile reaction, Garnacho responded in the best way possible, shrugging off the provocation and putting Chelsea ahead with a composed finish shortly after his appearance.
Cardiff fought back with a goal from David Turnbull to equalize, but a goal from Pedro Neto gave Chelsea back the lead and restored the Blues’ advantage.
Garnacho then scored twice with a deft effort inside the box in stoppage time to ensure Chelsea’s place in the semi-finals and earn him the Player of the Match award.
Garnacho showed his true colors by praising Cardiff’s performance, telling Sky: “They (Cardiff) were a very strong team.” “We weren’t paying attention to what league they played in. They did a really good job, but we’re happy to get to the semifinals.”
“They brought me in and I tried to help the team. Me, (Joao) Pedro and the other players did that. We’re really happy. We’re working very well as a group. Sometimes you have to start a game, sometimes you have to help from the bench. We’re not focused on that, we’re just trying to help the team.”
“We try to compete in everything, and the semifinals are the next game, so we try to win.”
Garnacho is yet to make his mark at Chelsea after signing for £40m from United in the summer.
He has started just seven games in the Premier League so far and scored just once in 10 appearances.
The winger left Old Trafford following disagreements with Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim.
After being left out of Amorim’s starting line-up for last season’s Europa League final, Garnacho seems determined to prove himself and is gradually becoming an integral part of the London squad.
