Chelsea travel to Nottingham Forest this weekend.placeholder image
Chelsea travel to Nottingham Forest this weekend. | Getty Images
Alan Smith criticised the Chelsea winger this week but Enzo Maresca should deploy him against Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens was criticised by former Premier League star Alan Smith this week but Enzo Maresca must risk further scorn and deploy the winger against Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
LondonWorld leapt to the defence of the 21-year-old this week following Smith’s comments, backing his steady rise at Stamford Bridge since making the £48.5 million move from Borussia Dortmund. Gittens hasn’t set the stage alight like Joao Pedro and Willian Estevao, but looks to have earned the trust of Maresca.
Nonetheless, when speaking to Metro, Smith branded the move as a ‘downgrade’ on Noni Madueke already. He said: “Who knows how Chelsea feel when it comes to these comings and goings. Jamie Gittens hasn’t been an upgrade though, he’s just been disappearing up blind alleys, and we’ve not seen the best form from him yet. That was a strange move. It felt unusual at the time, and it looks even more out of place now. But that’s Chelsea at the moment, isn’t it?”
Chelsea handed potential Pedro Neto blow
This weekend is the perfect chance for Gittens to rubbish that idea. Maresca is facing somewhat of a team selection dilemma for the trip to the City Ground with Cole Palmer ruled out and Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez both doubts.
On the flank, Maresca also confirmed that Pedro Neto had not trained on Thursday ahead of the early kick-off on Saturday. If there is any doubt over Neto’s fitness, he must not be risked - Chelsea can’t afford another on and off injury like that of Palmer.
Neto has started all but one of Chelsea’s Premier League fixtures this term and his absence would open up a gap that needs filling. The Blues are short of options on the flank with Estevao, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte all options too.
Enzo Maresca should deploy in-form Gittens against Nottingham Forest
However, it’s the perfect moment for Gittens to shine after an impressive international break. Nottingham Forest have shipped 12 goals already this season and are yet to keep a clean sheet.
The winger has shown his ability to drive with the ball this season and that’s the sort of impetus that could cause real problems for Ange Postecoglou’s side. What’s more, Gittens had a spectacular international break with the England under-21 set-up and goes into the match in form.
Gittens was hailed as an ‘exciting talent’ by Lee Carsley for his efforts as England beat Andorra 1-0. SportsView report that the winger completed 5/8 dribbles and won 7/13 ground duels, providing the assist for Chelsea teammate Tyrique George to score the winner. His performance was laballed as ‘outstanding’ and the ‘player of the night’.
Speaking after the match, George said: “He’s really sharp. He’s really good, electric, smart player as well. So, yeah, he’s a really good player.
“We’re really, really close. We’re really close friends. I feel like you always need competition in a top club and you’re always going to get that. So, I feel like he’s pushed me, I push him. So, that’s the main agenda. So, it’s good.”
In other news, Chris Sutton and Paul Merson make Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea predictions as 'ridiculous' claim made.
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