Chelsea rival Arsenal & Man Utd for 'next Sancho'

Cameron Smith

11 Oct 2024 16:30 BST
3 min read

Enzo Maresca, Jadon Sancho, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea are among the teams to have regularly sent scouts to watch Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jamie Gittens in action so far this season.

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The 20-year-old has enjoyed a sublime start to the new campaign, scoring four goals and providing two assists in all competitions, and his form has attracted interest from a host of top Premier League clubs.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched him during the early weeks of the 2024-25 campaign, as per German outlet BILD, while Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked with a move.

Gittens has just under four years remaining on his current contract at Borussia Dortmund, but multiple Premier League sides are eager to bring him back to England next summer.

The Dortmund winger spent two years in Manchester City’s academy before following in Jadon Sancho’s footsteps and moving to the Signal Iduna Park in 2020.

Gittens has been frequently compared to Sancho since leaving Man City for the Bundesliga, and Chelsea are keen to bring him to Stamford Bridge amid their pursuit of the best young talents in world football.

The Blues have signed 36 players aged 23 or under since Clearlake Capital purchased the club in 2022, while they also added Sancho on an initial loan deal from Man Utd this summer.

© IMAGO - Jamie Gittens (right), with Jadon Sancho (left)

What has Jamie Gittens said about Jadon Sancho?

Gittens and Sancho crossed paths during the latter’s loan spell back at Borussia Dortmund during the second half of last season.

After their brief period together in Germany, Gittens admitted (as per BVB Buzz): “I've learned a lot from Jadon. For example, that I have to play with one or two touches more often, that I have to offer deeper runs more often.

“When he plays, he enjoys himself. I've learned that too. Jadon is a friend.”