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Borussia Dortmund's sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, has confirmed that he talked to star winger Jamie Gittens about his potential move to Chelsea. The 45-year-old claimed that he has had 'one or two conversations' with the 20-year-old about his future at the Westfalenstadion.
Gittens had a brief six-month spell in Chelsea's academy before moving on to Reading and, eventually, Manchester City's famed youth setup. He moved on to Dortmund's under-19 side in 2020 on a free transfer, going on to break into the first team at the age of 17 in the 2021-22 campaign.
He has lit up the Bundesliga, catching the eye of top European sides with his skilful dribbling, one-on-one ability, and blistering pace. Overall, he has made 107 appearances for Die Schwarzgelben, racking up 17 goals and 14 assists in the process.
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Chelsea reportedly made two bids to sign Gittens before their FIFA Club World Cup campaign kicked off. Dortmund, however, snubbed the revised bid worth a reported £42 million. They are believed to be holding out for a fee in excess of £50 million.
The German side opened their CWC campaign with a 0-0 draw against the Brazilian side Fluminense. Gittens entered the field of play as a substitute for Julian Brandt in the 77th minute, showcasing his silky dribbling in a brief 13-minute cameo.
After the game, Kehl addressed the England U-21 international's situation, saying (via GOAL):
"We've had one or two conversations with Jamie in the last few days. He's professional enough to know that he has to perform. That's part of his nature. Jamie will still be very important for us in this tournament. We'll see what happens after that. But I don't have a negative opinion of him."
As it stands, Chelsea have just three senior players who play predominantly on the wing - Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, and Tyrique George. If they do secure his signature, Gittens would provide much-needed depth and would be a valuable addition to Enzo Maresca's squad.
"He'll definitely be a great addition" - Flamengo star makes claim about new Chelsea winger Estevao Willian
Flamengo shotstopper Agustin Rossi has claimed that teenage sensation Estevao Willian will have an immediate impact at Chelsea.
In June 2024, it was announced that the Blues had secured Willian's services from Palmeiras. As he was under the age of 18 at the time, he spent the 2024-25 campaign in Brazil. He will officially move to England at the beginning of the 2025 summer transfer window.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Rossi praised the 18-year-old's quality, claiming that the Blues have a gem on their hands. He said:
"Here in South American football, not just Brazilian football, we know that he is a very important player. Despite his young age, he's going to a club like Chelsea, so the anticipation in England is great, even in Brazil, just thinking about how much he'll grow in a league like the Premier League. What I can say is he has great characteristics, great performances, and that's how he got their attention. He'll definitely be a great addition to Chelsea next season."
After a 2-0 win over LAFC in their opening CWC fixture, Enzo Maresca's Blues will be in action against Rossi's Flamengo in their second game on Friday, June 20.
