-
Exclusive
- 5 minutes ago
Confirmed: Chelsea have already signed their Alejandro Garnacho replacement
Alejandro Garnacho has endured a tricky debut campaign at Chelsea and rumours have suggested that he could be sold after just one year at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentina winger has only scored two goals and provided four assists in 29 Premier League and Champions League games since arriving from Manchester United for a fee of €46.2 million, and he is yet to establish himself as a guaranteed starter under Liam Rosenior.
Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian have both fared far better than the 21-year-old so far this season and with Geovany Quenda set to join the club from Sporting CP in July, Garnacho’s place in the Chelsea first-team squad is already under threat.
Injury woes have limited Rosenior’s attacking options in recent weeks and, as a result, Chelsea will likely want five wingers competing for a place in the starting XI next season, with reports hinting that Garnacho could be sold in order to fund the signing of another wide option in addition to Quenda.
However, Chelsea may already have the perfect replacement for Garnacho in their ranks.
Given the Blues seemingly have no interest in signing proven superstars under their BlueCo ownership, the club are expected to target a young winger if they decide to replace Garnacho this summer.
FC Koln starlet Said El Mala has been earmarked as a top candidate for the role, as per reports, however, Chelsea could instead look to their academy if they want a fifth winger capable of competing with Estevao, Neto, Quenda and Jamie Gittens next term.
A proven entity such as Kenan Yildiz or Nico Williams would undoubtedly elevate the level of Chelsea’s team further, but the Blues are unlikely to endorse such a deal and promoting an academy starlet could be a suitable option rather than funding a move for El Mala.
Chelsea have already signed two potential Garnacho replacements
In Jesse Derry and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Chelsea boast two of the most talented teenagers in English football.
The former was signed by the Blues from Crystal Palace last summer, while Kavuma-McQueen joined the club at Under-8 level and signed his first professional contract in January.
Since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2025, Derry has been in immense form and he has already made two first-team appearances under Rosenior.
In total, he has 16 goal contributions in 27 games for Chelsea’s youth teams this term, and he has started ahead of Liverpool wonderkid Rio Ngumoha in both of England U19s’ last two international fixtures.
Given Ngumoha is already making an impression for the Liverpool first-team, Derry is arguably ready for the step up too.
Meanwhile, Chelsea also have another immensely talented winger at their disposal in the form of Kavuma-McQueen. He is 18 months younger than Derry, but he is making serious waves in the academy set-up.
The 17-year-old has scored 11 goals and provided two assists in 14 games in 2026, for club and country, and he was rewarded with a place on the substitutes bench during Chelsea’s Champions League second-leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
Kavuma-McQueen is yet to make his senior debut, however his direct and powerful dribbling style is causing immense chaos at academy level every week and Chelsea have a true gem on their hands.
Football transfer news headlines today
Transfer Rumours: Arsenal make audacious Kvaratskhelia move as €116m Chelsea deal implodes
Man Utd Transfer News: €100m Barcelona bombshell as midfielder agreement reached
Chelsea Transfer News Today: Record deal lined up as Moises Caicedo makes clear statement
Arsenal Transfer News Today: Elliot Anderson race blown wide open as offer made
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here: