Gittens Eyes Strong Chelsea Season Under Alonso After Injury Return

Chelsea Football Club's official website has released an exclusive video featuring winger Jamie GittensPlayer·Jamie Gittens, offering insights into his preparations and aspirations for the 2026/27 season. The interview highlights Gittens' determination to make a greater impact following a challenging debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Gittens joined Chelsea on July 5, 2025, from Borussia DortmundTeam·Borussia Dortmund, signing a seven-year contract. His initial season, 2025/26, saw him make 27 appearances across all competitions, with 12 starts. In the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League, he registered 0 goals and 2 assists in 490 minutes, maintaining an average FotMob rating of 6.52. A notable moment arrived in the EFL CupCompetition·EFL Cup, where he scored a superb long-range goal and provided two assists in a thrilling 4-3 victory against Wolverhampton WanderersTeam·Wolverhampton Wanderers. He also demonstrated his creative prowess in the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League, creating five chances against AjaxTeam·Ajax, a record for a Chelsea player since the 2003/04 season, earning him the Player of the Match award.

However, his momentum was abruptly halted in January 2026 when he sustained a hamstring injury during a Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League match against West Ham UnitedTeam·West Ham United, effectively ending his season prematurely. This setback coincided with a turbulent period for Chelsea, who finished 10th in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League. The club also experienced significant managerial changes, with Enzo Maresca departing in January, followed by Liam RoseniorCoach·Liam Rosenior, before Xabi AlonsoCoach·Xabi Alonso took the helm in June 2026.

Now, as the 2026/27 season approaches, Gittens has expressed a marked increase in confidence and an improved physical condition. "I'm feeling much better, more confident now. My body is better. Hamstrings are good, so I'm just waiting for the season to start," Gittens stated. He also articulated the team's collective ambition under the guidance of Xabi AlonsoCoach·Xabi Alonso, affirming, "We want to win everything."

His pre-season performances have underscored his recovery and potential. Gittens has already found the back of the net against Western Sydney WanderersTeam·Western Sydney Wanderers and provided an assist against Tottenham HotspurTeam·Tottenham Hotspur, showcasing his readiness for the competitive season ahead. Xabi AlonsoCoach·Xabi Alonso has reportedly offered his full backing to the young winger, encouraging him to "keep being positive, taking on players, creating chances and pushing myself to the maximum." With a full pre-season behind him and the support of the new coaching staff, Jamie GittensPlayer·Jamie Gittens appears well-positioned to fulfill his potential and contribute significantly to Chelsea's aspirations in the upcoming campaign.