Gittens keen to impress ‘world-class’ Alonso
Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens says he has been told he will feature in new manager Xabi Alonso's squad plans for next season, praising the Spaniard as a "world-class midfielder" who commands respect from the squad. The 21-year-old struggled to make a significant impact in his debut campaign after his £52m move from Borussia Dortmund last summer, as Chelsea endured a difficult season, finishing 10th in the Premier League without European football or a trophy.
Gittens said Alonso has urged him to stay positive, keep taking on defenders and keep creating chances, recalling how tough it was to face Alonso's title-winning Bayer Leverkusen side while playing in Germany. He is optimistic that new arrivals such as British record signing Morgan Rogers (£117m), a former academy teammate at Manchester City, will help raise standards as Chelsea aim to "win everything" again. Having recovered from a hamstring injury that ended his season early, Gittens says he is around 90% fit and has already scored in pre-season matches against Crawley and Bromley under Alonso.
- Gittens says he's part of Xabi Alonso's plans at Chelsea
- Calls Alonso a "world-class" former midfielder who earns respect
- Back from hamstring injury, around 90% fit, scoring in pre-season
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Jamie Gittens is a 21-year-old winger who joined Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund last summer for £52 million. His debut season at the club was disappointing, with Chelsea finishing 10th in the Premier League, missing out on trophies and European football.
Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager. The Spanish former midfielder is respected for leading Bayer Leverkusen to win the German league title.
Chelsea are working to recover from their poor season, with hopes resting partly on young players like Gittens improving under new management. The club has made significant investments in new signings as it attempts to re-establish itself among the league's top teams.