Jadon Sancho finds himself in a state of limbo as he faces an uncertain future at Manchester United, and he has done his bit to shepherd one talent on the cusp of replacing him at his old club
Jadon Sancho (Chelsea) during UEFA Conference League Final 2025 match between Real Betis Balompie and Chelsea London in Wroclaw,Poland on May 28, 2025
Jadon Sancho has lent Chelsea target Jamie Gittens his support ahead of a potential return to West London
(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Having now left Stamford Bridge, Jadon Sancho has already signalled his support for the man tipped to succeed him at Chelsea. And his insights on Jamie Gittens are notable given that they were once competing for similar spots at Borussia Dortmund.
Sancho, 25, spent this season on loan at the west London club but did not sufficiently impress to earn a permanent move. Instead, Chelsea opted to pay £5million to Manchester United to get out of a mandatory purchase agreement to avoid signing Sancho.
It now seems Chelsea are honing in on Dortmund winger Gittens as he prepares for a potential return to Cobham this summer. Niko Kovac explained Gittens' absence from his team's Club World Cup victory over Ulsan, claiming it was due to illness, though there have been murmurs that the player's no-show was linked to an impending transfer.
The Sun has reported Chelsea are on the verge of completing a £55.5m deal for the winger. Gittens, 20, has taken a similar career path to Sancho in that he joined Dortmund from Manchester City's academy, and he too could be poised for a major Premier League comeback.
Sancho, who is now in a state of limbo at United, turned heads at the Westfalenstadion himself before making a temporary switch back to the club last year. During this period, he fostered a relationship with Gittens and provided encouragement when the latter began realising his potential in the first team last winter.
"He [Sancho] wrote to me to say, 'Keep it up,'" Gittens told the Dortmund website (via The Mirror) back in December. "'It's your time to show everyone what you can do.' He is a top player and also a top friend."
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens,Felix Nmecha and Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund celebrate at full-time following the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund
Gittens and Sancho spent six months as team-mates in Germany last year
Sancho also praised Gittens publicly last season after the young talent netted a brace in a Champions League victory over Club Brugge. The United winger showed his support by commenting on one of Gittens' Instagram posts, calling him a "balla [baller]."
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has openly admitted the club will sign a winger this summer following Mykhailo Mudryk's absence for more than half of this season. The Ukrainian international tested positive for a banned substance and could face a ban of up to four years.
Chelsea's urgency to add wide players will have intensified following Sancho's return to Old Trafford. Brazilian prospect Estevao is expected to land in England after his transfer from Palmeiras, but the 18-year-old will need time to adapt to the demands of England's top flight.
Gittens and Sancho were team-mates in Germany for just six months, yet it's clear the latter left a lasting impression. Reflecting on a standout 2023/24 season, former Chelsea trainee Gittens acknowledged the influence Sancho had on him in that time.
Jamie Gittens of Borussia Dortmund in action during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group F match between Fluminense FC and Borussia Dortmund at MetLife Stadium
Gittens is currently playing for Dortmund at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States
"I've learned a lot from Jadon," he told WAZ last year. "For example, that I have to play with one or two touches more often, that I have to offer deeper runs more often. And when he plays, he enjoys himself; I've learned that too. Jadon is a friend."
Gittens had a short stint in Chelsea's academy as a young player but never fully joined their ranks. Coincidentally, he made his Champions League debut in a 1-0 victory over the Premier League titans in February 2023.
After netting 12 goals in 49 appearances for Dortmund last season (both career highs), Gittens seems to have piqued Chelsea's interest once more. And it appears Sancho is among those championing him as he gears up for a potential summer return.