Enzo Maresca is likely to make changes to his Chelsea team when they take on Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday.
With Chelsea having to play so many games this season, Maresca has rotated his side during the week.
Yet the likes of Jamie Gittens and Josh Acheampong will still feel that they should have had more opportunities by this stage.
Who is Chelsea’s best winger?
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Maresca spoke about Acheampong on Friday, claiming that he made a mistake not using the defender in the 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.
Jamie Gittens of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Chelsea
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca underusing Jamie Gittens
In Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Bournemouth, neither Acheampong nor Gittens managed to get a run out. A lot of supporters are clamouring for the former to get more opportunities, but the latter is also being underused by Maresca at the moment.
Chelsea spent around ÂŁ50m to sign Gittens from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, which is a lot of money. However, the winger has only made four starts in the Premier League this season.
When Gittens has played, no, he has not always been effective. Despite providing an assist in the Blues’ loss away at Leeds, Gary Neville was still quite critical of Gittens for being negative with his play.
He is young, though, and has probably lacked a bit of confidence at times. It is one reason why giving him a run of games could be beneficial.
As well as that, his rival for the left-wing position has not exactly done enough to nail down a starting spot in Maresca’s side.
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Jamie Gittens should start over Alejandro Garnacho against Atalanta
Alejandro Garnacho has been pretty inconsistent at Chelsea since joining from Manchester United, which is understandable given his age.
Chelsea fans have seen flashes of his brilliance, such as the two assists he provided in the 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, bar that and his goal against Sunderland, he has not done too much else in the Premier League.
Even so, the Argentina international has been Maresca’s main option on the left.
Bearing that in mind, Gittens probably deserves a few consecutive starts now, including in Wednesday’s Champions League tie versus Atalanta.
His critics will argue it was only a Carabao Cup fixture, but Gittens’ performance against Wolves in the fourth round was world-class.
No Chelsea winger has put in a better performance than Jamie Gittens this season!
Disagree? Who and what game?
Chelsea star Jamie Gittens dribbling against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Jamie Gittens’ numbers vs Wolves Total
Minutes 90
Goals 1
Assists 2
Big chances created 1
Key passes 4
Shots 2
Touches 70
Dribbles (successful) 12 (5)
Via Sofascore
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Maresca has to give the former Dortmund man more opportunities to try and reproduce that kind of display. So far, he has not got too many.
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