Chelsea supporters are still trying to learn about on-loan playmaker Facundo Buonanotte because he’s made just a few appearances so far this season. However, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister knows a bit more about him because the duo have played together with Brighton and the Argentina national side.
On Saturday evening, Chelsea host Liverpool in the Premier League before October’s international break.
Will Facundo Buonanotte, 20, start for the Blues in this weekend’s important fixture?
The attacking midfielder has made three appearances so far this campaign for Enzo Maresca’s side since joining on a season-long loan from Brighton. He’s looked fairly impressive in a creative role, too.
| Match | Minutes played | Goals | Assists | Total shots | Chances created | Match rating |
| Chelsea 1-0 Benfica | 54 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7.0 |
| Lincoln City 1-2 Chelsea | 89 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7.8 |
| Brentford 2-2 Chelsea | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6.7 |
Chelsea believe Buonanotte has huge potential after signing him on loan with no buy option. Incidentally, they will have matching rights if they decide they want to sign him permanently next summer.
What Alexis Mac Allister said about Facundo Buonanotte in 2023
Buonanotte and Alexis Mac Allister, 26, shared a dressing room for a short period at the Amex Stadium. Of course, the latter has gone on to become a key player in Liverpool’s midfield since leaving Brighton.
Back in May 2023, Mac Allister tipped an 18-year-old Buonanotte for a huge future.
He said via BBC Sport: “Facu is a fantastic player and a fantastic guy… He showed he has the opportunity and character to play here. He will be an important player for this club and I’m sure he will work very hard to get into the team.”
It is exciting to hear the on-loan Chelsea youngster was so highly rated only a couple of years ago. Similarly, back in August 2022, Carlos Tevez compared Buonanotte to Lionel Messi for his dribbling.
Even though Buonanotte may not be in Chelsea’s strongest XI, it feels like he could play an important role in the squad this campaign. In particular, the Argentine creator is the most like-for-like replacement for Cole Palmer during the matches he misses through injury.
Were Brighton supporters right about Facundo Buonanotte?
Brighton fans were angry when Buonanotte joined Chelsea on loan, largely due to concerns that he wouldn’t play enough football to develop at Stamford Bridge.
The South American youngster has had to be patient so far this campaign. We think he’s raised his hand up to play more by the way he’s performed, though.
He’s very easy on the eye as a footballer and can technically mix it with the best, but he may need time to get up to full speed with Maresca’s demands.
We’ll see by the end of the season if Brighton supporters were right about Buonanotte’s loan move. Even though he’s still feeling his way into the team, we’re optimistic that he does have a role to play moving forward this season. It would be a real vote of confidence if he’s involved on Saturday evening at home to Liverpool in the Premier League.
With Palmer still out injured due to a groin problem, the door should be left ajar for the creativity of someone like Buonanotte.
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