Unai Emery's stance on Alejandro Garnacho amid Aston Villa exit clause reveal
Unai Emery believes he will need Alejandro Garnacho as a key part of his Aston Villa squad, sources have told Football Insider.
That is despite speculation about the 22-year-old's long-term future at Villa Park, given his lack of playing time in the early stages of his loan spell after joining from Chelsea.
The Argentina international has played just 31 minutes across all compeititons so far this season, and has been an unused substitue in each of their last four games.
It is also understood that Chelsea and Villa do not have a January exit clause in Garnacho’s season-long loan.
That means the two Premier League clubs would both have to agree to cut Garnacho’s loan deal short in the next transfer window if he continues to sit on the Villa substitutes’ bench.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Garnacho is set to play a key role as Villa's fixture schedule becomes tighter.
Emery's side are set to compete across the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup this season, and will need a deep squad to maintain their performances.
As a result, the boss believes Garnacho will be given the chance to impress in the starting XI, even if it takes some time before he can work his way into his plans.
What does Unai Emery have planned for Alejandro Garnacho?
Football Insider revealed on 25 September that Emery has no plans to let Garnacho leave Aston Villa in the near future as he remains a key part of his first-team squad.
The boss has previously been known for taking his time with bedding in new players, as he has high expectations and demands the players meet his standards on the pitch.
As a result, he will give Garnacho time to adapt, and is planning to use him more often when the fixtures pile up over the difficult winter months.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Garnacho hasn’t been playing for Villa. I think it's 31 minutes he's played for Villa across three substitute appearances.
"He's been an unused sub for Villa's past four matches as well. So look, he's obviously struggling to win the faith of Unai Emery.
"Emery will need him at some point this season you would think, with Villa in the Champions League and going to have so many competitions and games that they're playing in as well.
"But it's up to the player. He needs to start impressing Emery in training to try and win his support and everything else.
"I wouldn't write him off just yet and I don't think Villa are writing him off they'll be hoping that he can have an impact, especially during that difficult stage of the season."
Could Garnacho leave Aston Villa early?
Speculation about Garnacho's future at Villa Park comes as a result of his lack of playing time, after Emery confessed he was currently down the pecking order.
The 22-year-old joined on loan from Chelsea in the summer, with a £43million obligation to buy included if he meets certain milestones during his short-term spell.
However, Football Insider revealed on 27 September that Garnacho could agree to leave Aston Villa sooner than expected if his playing time does not improve in the near future.
A number of clubs across Europe have been linked with moves for Garnacho as a result of his lack of game time, but much will depend on the player and Aston Villa.
Chelsea have no plans for the winger to return, having agreed to let him go on loan with the hope that he would trigger the conditional obligation and leave permanently.