Enzo Maresca and Jose Mourinho delivered different verdicts on Alejandro Garnacho after Chelsea’s 1-0 win against Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Mourinho made his return to Stamford Bridge as Richard Rios’ own goal in the first half sealed the victory for Chelsea.
Garnacho, meanwhile, was handed his second start for Chelsea since his £40 million move from Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
However, the Argentina international was only able to show glimpses of promise before he was replaced by Jamie Gittens in the 61st minute.
Speaking after the game, Mourinho said he felt both Garnacho and Malo Gusto were ‘struggling’ before they were brought off by Maresca.
Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
‘Malo Gusto was already struggling, [Reece] James came in, Garnacho was already struggling, [Jamie] Gittens came in. We’re a bit limited,’ Mourinho said.
But when asked about Garnacho’s performance, Maresca replied: ‘Yes, tonight we start with Garna, that probably was the first game that he started.
‘Ty is a No.9, and we know that he’s not a No.9. Facu Buonanotte played an important role tonight. That’s why for me tonight it’s a nice feeling that it was important to win for different reasons. Injuries and the players that they are new with us.
‘Garna was very good. I think [Jamie] Gittens also, he tried in the last 20 minutes when he was on. Both are going to be better and better game after game.’
Mourinho, meanwhile, also felt that Joao Pedro deserved a red card before his dismissal for his foul on Nicolas Otamendi.
‘I think we did everything well, except win the game and score,’ Mourinho said.
‘I get the feeling that Joao Pedro should have been sent off earlier for a challenge with Otamendi; normally, a player with a yellow card wouldn’t risk doing what he did. If Chelsea were already struggling in 11 against 11.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.