'Can't stand it' - Jamie Carragher hits out at Alejandro Garnacho's behaviour at Stamford Bridge ahead of Chelsea move

With his move finalised too late for him to feature against Fulham, Garnacho was forced to watch from the stands. Cameras soon picked him out in his Stamford Bridge box. What should have been a moment to showcase his enthusiasm for his new club instead turned sour. Not even eight minutes into the derby, Garnacho was caught by Sky’s broadcast team scrolling on his phone rather than watching the action. A seemingly innocuous act, yet one that lit the fuse for Carragher.   

Carragher couldn’t hide his frustration when asked about Chelsea’s new signing.

"You know what I didn't like?" the Liverpool legend blasted. "Did you see the game [against Fulham], when they go to the people in the stands and they are on their phones with the game going on? I can't stand it. And it's not just him by the way, but I can't stand it. So it's a miss for that. For sitting on his phone during an important game for Chelsea." 

Fellow pundit Roy Keane also had his say, though he was less explosive than Carragher.

While rating the transfer, he said, "I'm undecided on that one. I'm not convinced."

The former United captain’s scepticism appeared to extend beyond Garnacho’s phone faux pas, hinting at doubts over whether Chelsea’s huge gamble on the winger will truly pay off.  

While Garnacho looks to settle into life in west London, his former employers may feel they’ve played their cards smartly. United not only banked a sizeable fee but also secured a 10 per cent sell-on clause in the deal, ensuring they profit again if Chelsea decide to cash in down the line.    

Garnacho's official debut could come against Brentford after the international break, though fitness remains a question mark. Having been frozen out of Ruben Amorim’s first-team plans at Old Trafford all summer, he must shake off the rust and prove he belongs in Chelsea’s starting XI.