Chelsea have long been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.
The Blues have seen multiple transfer fees (£34m and £42m) turned down by the German club as they are looking at a price in the region of £55m.
Still, Chelsea are not relenting as they see the former Manchester City academy player as an upgrade on their current options on the left wing.
Overcoming Challenges: Jamie Gittens’ Rise to Stardom
Gittens, who joined Dortmund in 2020, after spending two years at the City youth set-up, had limited chances at the beginning of his time in Germany due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a torn ligament injury that kept him out of the team for several months.
But despite these setbacks, he showed great strength and resilience to make a name for himself.
His flair, pace, and most especially his ability to beat a man 1v1 earned him a place in Dortmund’s starting lineup and has made him one of the most sought-after talents in Europe.
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In his first season at the club, he helped the Dortmund U19 reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Youth League, finishing that competition with six goals in five games.
During this period, he showed significant growth and promise, creating a niche as a dynamic and versatile winger capable of cutting in from the left and shooting with his preferred right foot.
His performances caught the eyes of Head Coach Marco Rose, who awarded him with his Bundesliga debut in 2022 against Wolfsburg, and he has since grown from strength to strength.
In the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, the 20-year-old ended the campaign as the player with the second highest dribbles with 73 only behind new Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz on 84.
Gittens also had 11G/A (eight goals/three assists) contribution in 32 appearances, sparking interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Chelsea’s Left Flank Woes
The Blues’ interest in Gittens stems from a need for a consistent and impactful presence on the left flank.
Big money transfers that have occupied those spots over the years have failed to live up to the hype. Raheem Sterling, who joined from Man City after winning four EPL trophies in seven years, spent two seasons with the club before going on loan to Arsenal.
The 2014 Golden Boy winner showed quality, but his inconsistencies led to the Blues offloading him. Another player who had immense quality but failed to deliver was Mykhailo Mudryk.
The Ukrainian arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth £88.5m, and his first game against Liverpool sold Chelsea fans’ dreams.
Despite his blistering pace and dribbling ability, the winger found it difficult to adapt to the Premier League’s physical and tactical demands, often fading in key moments.
The winger’s first competitive goal for Chelsea came in his 24th appearance for the Blues, a 2-0 win over Fulham.
His lack of end product and poor decision-making in the final third left fans frustrated, with some questioning his long-term future at the club. And with the player involved in a serious doping scandal, his future at the club seems all but over.
On June 18th, 2025, Mudryk was charged by the English FA for anti-doping rule violations after he tested positive for meldonium – a banned performance-enhancing substance – during a routine urine test.
His samples after the test confirmed the presence of the substance, and he now faces a potential ban from football-related activities of up to four years.
Another winger who primarily plays on the right but has also filled in on the left is Noni Madueke.
The 23-year-old Englishman, who has shown glimpses of his quality throughout the season, is also one who is very inconsistent and has been accused by fans on social media of being selfish.
The former PSV star has been linked with a move to Arsenal, and if the transfer does go through, he would join a list of players who have played for both London clubs, with Kepa Arrizabalaga being the latest to move to North London.
Having struggled to secure a reliable left winger, Chelsea sees Gittens as a long-term investment and hopes he can hold down the position for years to come as they build a squad capable of challenging for major honours.
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Will Gittens’ Signing Improve Chelsea’s Attack?
Simply put, yes, it will.
His ability to drive at defenders is something Chelsea have missed since the times of Willian and Eden Hazard.
His work rate, together with his decision-making, which is miles better than the current crop of Chelsea attackers – bar Cole Palmer – has made him a prime target for the Premier League side and even Bayern Munich, who tried to strike a deal with Dortmund last year.
Madueke and Neto had their best campaigns in a Chelsea shirt last season, but their performances still highlight a huge void on the left flank that Gittens could address.
- Gittens leads both players in goal contributions in all competitions (17)
- Gittens leads both players in terms of dribbles (73)
- Gittens leads both players in terms of progressive carries. He averages 5.51 progressive carries per 90 minutes and is in the top 9% in Europe’s top five leagues.
Integrating Jamie Gittens into Chelsea’s attack alongside new signing Liam Delap is an exciting prospect for fans.
The striker’s robust hold-up play, pulling in players like Cole Palmer, Gittens, and Estevao, will offer Chelsea fresh tactical options against opponents next season. And as Gittens competes for Dortmund at the Club World Cup, he’ll aim to showcase his skills and secure a move to Stamford Bridge.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sven Simon
Recording Date: 28.06.2025