Sport

Is Jamie Gittens ready to become the winger Chelsea need?

Chelsea wanted a new winger this summer and by all accounts they have one. Recent reports claim the Stamford Bridge club have agreed a deal to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund for £55m with the 20-year-old set to have a medical at some point this week. This is just the latest piece of the puzzle Enzo Maresca is putting together.

Other wide attackers had been linked with the Blues. Alejandro Garnacho was reportedly on their radar with the Argentine expected to depart Manchester United sooner rather than later. Nico Williams had also been mentioned, although the Spain international now appears more likely to end up at Barcelona.

Gittens, however, was the winger Chelsea focused their search on. The 20-year-old’s potential is clear having made a name for himself over the past two seasons at Dortmund. Last season, Gittens registered eight goals and three assists in 35 Bundesliga appearances, also scoring four times in 14 Champions League games for good measure.

However, Gittens will need to take a big step forward to be the player Chelsea want him to be. The Blues want a next-level difference maker. They look at Arsenal with Bukayo Saka and Liverpool with Mohamed Salah and want a similar sort of figure who can change a game in an instant. Is Gittens really going to be that player?

Dribbling is Gittens’ best quality. He is capable of beating an opponent with the ball at his feet and this alone could be something that gives Chelsea’s forward line a different dimension next season. While the Blues made progress last season, they were often stagnant in the final third. They need to take more risks.

Crossing is another strength of Gittens’ game. This could be good news for Liam Delap who is one of the best aerial focal points in the Premier League and could explain why the two players were targeted in the first place. Chelsea now have another way to find the back of the net with the hope that Delap and Gittens will form an understanding.

As a right footer who plays on the left side, Gittens is someone who likes to come inside to pose a threat both as a creative force and a goal threat in his own right. By coming inside, the 20-year-old will be able to combine with the likes of Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez, giving Chelsea some much-needed attacking cohesion.

However, Gittens’ decision-making could still improve while his form last season wasn’t the most consistent. This is where the Englishman must find another level to justify the £55m fee Chelsea are paying for him. The Blues are gambling on the potential of their newest signing quickly solidifying into match-winning quality.

The signing of Gittens will revamp Chelsea’s attack along with the expected addition of Joao Pedro from Brighton and the much-anticipated arrival of Estevao who has caught the eye for Palmeiras at the Club World Cup. The trio should give the Blues a lot more dynamism in the final third of the pitch.

Chelsea could be Club World Cup winners by the time they return to domestic action. The Blues are through to the quarter-finals of the competition where they have a very winnable final eight tie against Palmeiras. The Stamford Bridge club will come up against Estevao who will join them for the start of next season.

What’s more, Manchester City’s surprise exit from the tournament has opened up the field. Chelsea are now the favourites to make the Club World Cup final from their side of the bracket, highlighting the quality already in their squad. Gittens, however, will elevate them further. At least, that’s the plan.