Joe Cole backs 'very talented' Alejandro Garnacho to be Chelsea star as winger breaks Ruben Amorim silence

Enzo Maresca continues to look for the winning combination within his Chelsea squad but his job will be a lot easier if performances like the 1-0 win over Benfica are repeated.

The return of Jose Mourinho was a welcome one for a packed Stamford Bridge but for once they were happy to see him leave without a win or a smile on his face. Another red card didn’t help the home side with the manager frustrated that he will be without Joao Pedro for the next Champions League game more than he was with the player himself. What was encouraging for Maresca was the balance that his two wingers brought to proceedings and how they teamed up for the winning goal.

TNT pundits react as Alejandro Garnacho gets Chelsea Champions League start

Joe Cole in the pre-match build up was excited to see what the inclusion of Alejandro Garnacho would bring to proceedings and that his recent problems shouldn’t be held against him: “I think this young man is obviously very, very talented. You know, we’ve seen this in moments, he’s done some wonderful things on the football pitch in his short career. I think, honestly, he just needs six months of quiet and getting on with things. I think Manchester United are in disarray and that probably wasn’t a good upbringing for him.”

Alejandro Garnacho’s time at Man Utd ended with a degree of controversy and having to train on his own hasn’t helped his ability to hit the ground running at his new club not that he holds any bitterness towards his old club: "I think it was a difficult moment there, just training alone," Garnacho told TNT Sports. "But I have nothing bad to say about the club, my old club Manchester United. It was just a bad moment in life but now I’m very happy to be here and to play in this competition and to get the three points today."

Ally McCoist was also happy with what he saw from Garnacho as he picked out his man of the match: “I think he’s done alright. He did well for the goal clearly but he was overshadowed by his teammate on the other flank. He’s done fine but Pedro Neto was the pick of the bunch for me tonight. He’s been terrific.”

Pedro Neto stars as Chelsea winger draws pundit praise

Garnacho had a solid if unspectacular game but has only started once this season in the Carabao Cup against Lincoln City so can be forgiven for being a little bit rusty, this didn’t stop him playing a key role in the all important goal with fellow winger Pedro Neto picking the Argentinian out at the back post in another fine display and the TNT Sports pundits to sing his praises: “Neto has been brilliant, he’s the unsung hero of this Chelsea team, the fans will tell you that,’ said Joe Cole. “He delivers and is always positive. He’s been Chelsea’s best player tonight. He’s a bright spark very consistent.

“He’s fast becoming a fans’ favourites at Stamford Bridge. He was Chelsea’s best player tonight by a mile. It was a decent performance from Chelsea, it wasn’t spectacular and I’ve seen them play better. But the most important thing was the result, they needed that win and now they can prepare for a massive game against Liverpool at the weekend.” Fellow former England star Owen Hargreaves: ‘I thought he was Chelsea’s best player.

“He makes things happens, he’s so positive and explosive and quick. That’s the thing I like about him. It feels like Neto was the one creating a lot of the chances. Pedro Neto was by far the best player on the pitch. He was the star of the show for me.” Neto has established himself as a fan favourite and Garnacho will be hoping that he can make a similar impact once he is up to speed, it’s early days, but the signs are good.