Pat Nevin is unconvinced that a £40million move for Manchester United outcast Alejandro Garnacho would be in Chelsea’s best interests.
The Blues have already made a string of eye-catching signings this summer, with Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Estevao all arriving.
However, boosted by their money-spinning Club World Cup triumph, Chelsea appear to not be finished in the transfer market just yet.
Versatile defender Jorrel Hato has arrived from Ajax, while Enzo Maresca’s side are also exploring a move for fellow Dutch international Xavi Simons.
And elsewhere, Chelsea remain linked with a move for Garnacho, who appears to have no future at United after falling out with Ruben Amorim at the end of last season.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – click here and sign up before Friday to make sure you don’t miss the first edition.
Chelsea tried to sign Garnacho in January last season, and could renew their efforts late in the summer window after United dropped their asking price to just £40m.
But Nevin believes his former side would be unwise to pursue a move for the Argentine international given the host of wide attacking options already at Maresca’s disposal.
‘I don’t see Alejandro Garnacho as a great fit at Chelsea,’ Nevin told football betting site BetVictor.
‘Chelsea might do it to make money, but is he going to come and light up Chelsea more than Pedro Neto, whose professional attitude, his work rate he’s given for the team has been absolutely fantastic?
‘There’s a whole bunch of other players in that position. Jamie Gittens has come in, Chelsea also have Estevao from Brazil with a lot of expectation, how many players do you need there?
‘£40 million isn’t to be sniffed at, you don’t make that much more than that for getting into the Champions League and having a good run. Do you want to spend that on Garnacho who may or may not do okay?
‘Also, if it doesn’t work at Chelsea and it kind of worked averagely at best at Manchester United, there’s no big profit there.
‘So it would surprise me, but I am often surprised by Chelsea.’
After a delayed summer break due to their progress in the Club World Cup, Chelsea only returned for pre-season on Monday, giving them just 13 days to prepare for their first Premier League game against Crystal Palace.
The Blues will have to just two warm-up friendlies, with their first coming against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.