Chelsea supporters are convinced that one individual has just played his way into Enzo Maresca’s starting line-up against Sunderland.
On Wednesday night, Chelsea thrashed Dutch giants Ajax in the league phase of the Champions League, recording a 5-1 home win.
Next, Blues head coach Enzo Maresca will prepare his side to host Sunderland in the Premier League this weekend.
Chelsea’s players broke several records in their victory against Ajax, including becoming the first team in Champions League history to have three teenagers score in the same fixture.
It is now four consecutive wins across all competitions for the Blues. Can they extend the run against an impressive Sunderland team, though?
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca celebrates beating Ajax in the Champions League.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Chelsea fans demand Jamie Gittens starts vs Sunderland
According to Chelsea fans on X, Jamie Gittens should be starting for them against Sunderland because of his impressive midweek performance against Ajax.
One fan wrote: “Gittens deserves to start against Sunderland.”
“I’m starting Gittens against Sunderland. Needs to keep this momentum going and keep gaining confidence,” another posted.
One supporter claimed: “Really good performance from Gittens today. That’s his starting place on Saturday.”
“Gittens deserves a start on Saturday after this,” another said.
So many people were turning on Jamie Gittens after a few rough performances to start his Chelsea career. He's just won Man of the Match on his first UCL start. We have to give players time to grow and develop and eventually they will cook for us.
You cant rush greatness 💫 pic.twitter.com/PAcT2rTw3J
— CfcSheikh (@CfcSheikh) October 22, 2025
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Gittens, who started on the left wing against Ajax, performed superbly for 90 minutes.
The 21-year-old Englishman tormented the opposition defence at Stamford Bridge, delivering some wicked deliveries into the penalty box. He picked up a well-deserved assist on the night for Moises Caicedo’s goal, too.
Jamie Gittens is the youngest Chelsea player on record (since 2003/04) to create 5+ chances in a UEFA Champions League match (21 years, 75 days), a record previously held by Eden Hazard.
And he provided an assist. 🅰️ pic.twitter.com/jOBpHSucc7
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 22, 2025
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Even though Gittens’ transfer to Chelsea has been questioned because of a slow start, he just reminded everyone why he was so highly rated at Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens during the Champions League match against Ajax.
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Chelsea fans are right about Jamie Gittens
Maresca seriously needs to consider giving Gittens back-to-back starts against Sunderland because he was outstanding last night, creating so many chances with so much direct play in the final third.
He’s not started in the Premier League since the draw with Brentford on 13 September, so he’s had to be incredibly patient. However, Alejandro Garnacho has failed to make the most of his recent chances as the left-winger.
Hopefully, Garnacho and Gittens can push each other throughout the 2025-26 season. At the moment, the latter looks like he could be the bigger threat to Sunderland’s defence.
If any player has a bit of confidence and momentum behind them, it makes sense to capitalise on it.