Alejandro Garnacho has taken a subtle dig at Chelsea’s lack of European football following his decision to join Aston Villa.
The Argentina international’s career has been on a downward trajectory over the course of the last 18 months following the demise of his Manchester United career.
A falling out with Ruben Amorim resulted in him being deemed surplus to requirements by United and an acrimonious exit was sealed by a petulant reaction to his omission from the Europa League final starting line-up.
Garnacho appeared to suggest he had the last laugh when Chelsea rescued him from his Old Trafford nightmare and agreed to pay a £40million fee.
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The 22-year-old failed to settle in west London, however, and struggled to nail down a regular first team spot under either Enzo Maresca or Liam Rosenior.
After just 14 Premier League starts for the Blues last season, Garnacho is on the move again and is hopeful of reviving his career under the management of Unai Emery.
Rather than consider a move to Villa Park as a backwards step, Garnacho believes the Champions League will offer the perfect platform for him to showcase his ability in a competition Chelsea failed to qualify for.
‘I think it’s also important to play European competitions,’ said Ganacho when asked about his motives for leaving Chelsea.
‘I was looking for a club to get confidence and try to be the player that I was like years ago from my first years ago at Manchester United.
‘With Unai I spoke before I came here he gave me that confidence, that confidence to be here.
‘I had seen the Europa League [victory] last season and joining to play in the Champions League also is important to be part of this and Champions League is the best.
‘We’re going to play it this season I’m really happy and hopefully we cn do something important.’
Chelsea are understood to want around £42.5million in any permanent deal for the winger who has joined Villa initially on loan.
Garnacho was told earlier in the summer that he is not guaranteed a regular starting place at Stamford Bridge and it was subsequently decided that he could leave, with clubs in the Premier League, Italy and elsewhere in Europe having expressed interest, as well as Saudi Arabia.