While there has been lots of haphazardness in how the Blues operate in the transfer market, one thing is certain and visible: that is how Chelsea are looking to make long-term investments where they can prioritise bringing in young players who have high developmental ceilings and then, of course, the potential of a possible upside sale if they cannot get the best out of them at Stamford Bridge. Andy, let’s get it straight: the West Londoners have brought some extremely talented players into the roster of late when you consider names like Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto, Carney Chukwuemeka, Andrey Santos, and most recently, Kendry Paez.
And now the Blues have turned their attention to 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund sensation Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who plies his trade in Germany but holds an English passport alongside the obvious extreme potential. If we are to consider the reports going around of late, the Blues are pushing to secure his signatures this summer with fresh talks with his representatives and intermediaries planned alongside their push for Dortmund to accept a commendable fee for his signatures.
But for many who don’t follow Bundesliga, let me give you a quick brief on Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
He is a left winger who has the capacity to also play on the right and has represented England in youth competitions. He is someone that possesses that flair from out wide, as he can bring some explosive acceleration complemented by close control, fearless 1v1 dribbling and some verticality into the side.
He used to feature for Premier League giants Manchester City in their academy before he left the English shores for Dortmund in 2020. He has taken gradual steps for the Bundesliga giants, and now he has been integrated into the first team, Arup, where he is gaining top-level experiences in the Bundesliga and, more importantly, in the Champions League.
Speaking tactically, how does he fit into Enzo Maresca’s side?
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca feels that his side still lacks what it takes to win the Premier League title this season.
Chelsea have evolved into a possession- and space-dominant side under Enzo Maresca, given how he has brought in a Pep Guardiola-inspired model at the Bridge. And in that system, wide players must stretch the pitch in a literal sense while bringing a 1v1 threat when it comes to isolated duels and then going on to stretch the pitch. The front press should be rather disciplined while the wide forwards become more into inverted forwards when the full-backs overlap. And Jamie Bynoe-Gittens can do all of that.
If we speak about it in a 3-2-4-1 system that the Blues play, the English starlet would end up playing in that left flank role where he can get opportunities to isolate full-backs and cut in. Then comes maybe if he lines up on the right wing; here the current Dortmund forward can attack the back posts, especially when the ball is in the left zones.
Maresca’s system is about bringing ball control to the system through width (as we have when he uses Madueke and Neto), and Gittens’ more direct style brings some needed balance to what is a more control-heavy midfield with the likes of Enzo Fernández and Caicedo.
But why are Chelsea compounding their efforts this summer?
Gittens has scored a total of four goals and a assist for Borussia Dortmund so far (Image: Bundesliga/ Nicolas Tucat)
Chelsea want Gittens. (Image: Bundesliga/ Nicolas Tucat)
To me, the first thing that comes out is timing. Chelsea are timing the transfer at the perfect time given how Dortmund are under a squad rebalance phase and the 20-year-old is integral to the side. One season as the focal point in this attack in the German top tier can end up doubling his value like we saw with Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham at Dortmund before. So the Blues recognise this low buy moment before he throws himself to his potential.
Moreover, he is a London-born player and would qualify for the homegrown status, which could be important in squad balance as Chelsea prepare for the Champions League and will want to avoid any potential registration problems.
With Mudryk looking out of it following his drug ban, it opens up a space for Gittens to come into the squad. And there is a huge upside given he is 20, has Champions League minutes, and aligns with the club’s long term timeline.
MUST READ: Chelsea eyeing opportunistic signing as Liverpool star seeks lucrative payday
Author Opinion
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens in a way fits perfectly in Chelsea’s model and with Enzo Maresca bringing positional structure requiring tactical intelligence and technical elegance, Gittens gives you that balance. If the Blues are to sign him, Chelsea may very well have another pre-peak superstar on their books.