Chelsea
Chelsea Preparing Transfer Bid for Alejandro Garnacho Amid Squad Reshuffle
Chelsea to bid for winger Alejandro Garnacho; squad changes needed before signings.
Chelsea are poised to make a formal offer for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho as the summer transfer window progresses. The club has maintained a keen interest in Garnacho and is also targeting another young talent, Simons, contingent on freeing up squad space.
The Telegraph has reported that Chelsea conducted thorough background investigations on Garnacho, examining his personal conduct off the pitch. The findings revealed no concerns, clearing the path for Chelsea to move forward with a bid this month.
Simons remains Chelsea’s primary target following their agreement to sign Jorrel Hato, but the club faces the necessity of player sales before securing additional signings. Christopher Nkunku and Armando Broja are among those likely to depart, while Nicolas Jackson could also be moved if the price is right. Manchester United has expressed some interest in Jackson but dismisses any swap deal involving Garnacho.
Meanwhile, young talents Marc Guiu and Tyrique George are set for loan spells to gain valuable senior match experience, with Guiu heading to Sunderland.
Garnacho, 21, has been clear throughout the summer about his wish to stay within the Premier League. Chelsea is currently his preferred destination, putting them ahead of competing interest from Aston Villa. As Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca looks to shape his squad, the addition of Garnacho could add depth and energy on the wings.
Brentford
Joao Pedro facing spell out as Chelsea await clearer injury picture
João Pedro’s knee problem could keep him out for around three-and-a-half weeks.
Chelsea are waiting on the latest assessment of João Pedro after the striker was forced out of Brazil duty and left with questions over how long he may be sidelined.
Brazil confirmed his withdrawal without naming a specific issue, saying only that he was “injured.” Since then, the most detailed update has pointed to a knee problem. ESPN Brasil reported that Pedro sprained ligaments during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Hull City, a match in which he completed the full 90 minutes.
That information has already been passed to Brazilian officials, who then made the decision to remove him from their squad. Chelsea, though, have not issued an official statement of their own, leaving the situation to be read through the available reporting.
Xabi Alonso has tried to keep a calm public line ahead of Friday’s meeting with Brentford, even if the concern around his striker is obvious. “He has moved on from the summer, he has moved on from the World Cup,” Alonso said of the striker.
“He has shown this desire, determination to have a great season so far. The summer is far away now. He will be [in the Brazil squad] in the future. I’m pretty sure he is going to be.”
On current reports, Pedro is expected to miss around three-and-a-half weeks while recovering from the knee issue. That makes his involvement against Brentford look highly unlikely, regardless of Alonso’s optimism.
The timing of the injury may at least give him a cleaner recovery window. With September and October’s international breaks merged into one extended pause, Chelsea are not back in action until Bournemouth visit on Oct. 10. That date falls roughly three-and-a-half weeks after news of Pedro’s injury first emerged, which could place his return in that range.
Aston Villa
Garnacho Faces Fresh Questions After Emery’s Blunt Verdict
Emery has challenged Garnacho again, with the winger struggling for starts and slipping down Villa’s pecking order.
Alejandro Garnacho’s attempt to reset his career at Villa Park has taken an awkward turn, with Unai Emery making clear the winger is not yet in position to claim a regular role.
After Villa’s Carabao Cup win over Coventry City, Emery offered a stark assessment. Garnacho, he said, must “work, work, train, work.” He added that the 22-year-old needs to “try and play well” when chances arrive, but also stressed that there are “players in front of him now.”
That has left Garnacho in a difficult spot. He was on the bench against Coventry even with Emery rotating heavily, and his recent involvement suggests he is slipping further down the order. Across Villa’s first three Premier League matches, he managed only 31 minutes. Last weekend, in the loss to Nottingham Forest, he was an unused substitute.
Emery explained that Garnacho is “a little bit behind” because of some “[injury] circumstances we had in preseason,” adding: “It is time to be patient for the time he needs.”
The competition around him is not helping. Emery praised George Hemmings as “fantastic,” said Alysson is improving his “understanding” and is “giving us things I want,” and noted that Ibrahim Mbaye “also responded well.” The numbers underline the picture: Hemmings has played 540 minutes in all competitions, Alysson 137, Mbaye 91, while Garnacho has only 31.
Villa’s broader situation only sharpens the problem. Even while results remain poor, Garnacho is still not starting. At 22, and with several seasons of Premier League experience, he should be setting the standard rather than chasing it.
Garnacho arrived after leaving Manchester United in 2025 for Chelsea, but his spell there did not convince. He made 43 appearances, started only 14 league games, and half of his eight goals came in the Carabao Cup. He was later omitted from the 2026 World Cup after not receiving a call-up in almost two years.
When his loan move from Chelsea was completed in July, reports said the buy obligation was conditional but “easily achievable.” That detail now feels more uncomfortable than ever.
Brentford
Joao Pedro still not ruled out for Chelsea’s meeting with Brentford
Pedro is still available for Chelsea’s Brentford test, with Alonso delaying a final fitness call until Friday.
Joao Pedro remains in contention for Chelsea’s Friday night meeting with Brentford, with Xabi Alonso choosing to wait until the final training session before making a call on the Brazilian’s fitness.
Alonso made it clear on Thursday that no player has been ruled out yet. “In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad, we are having the last training session tomorrow so no one is ruled out for us for Friday,” the Chelsea boss explained on Thursday. “I prefer to be cautious, and we will be waiting until tomorrow to make the final decision on every player.”
When asked directly whether Pedro could be confirmed as injured, Alonso gave a short response: “No.”
Brazil are not taking a chance with the player, who is missing his first opportunity to impress Ancelotti since being harshly overlooked for the 2026 World Cup. Even so, Alonso said it remains a “possibility” that Pedro features for Chelsea on Friday.
Pedro has been ever-present in Chelsea’s Premier League campaign so far, playing every minute of the season and delivering six goal involvements in four matches. His three goals place him just behind Erling Haaland, who has scored four, in the early Golden Boot race.
He has quickly become one of Alonso’s most reliable selections, which is also why Chelsea brought in Danny Welbeck in the summer. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has played only 15 minutes in the Premier League, but has started both Carabao Cup matches Chelsea have played when Pedro was rested.
