Whether the Club World Cup marks the end of a successful 2024/25 campaign, or the start of preparations for the new season is up for debate, although what is clear is that Chelsea are beginning to find their groove under the Enzo Maresca regime.
Having rounded off May with Champions League qualification and Conference League glory, the Blues look destined to go far in this summer’s bumper tournament, with a favourable last-16 tie against Benfica on the cards.
New man Liam Delap is already off the mark to boot, with the west Londoners’ new number nine swiftly settling in to life in his new surroundings, all while Nicolas Jackson’s suspension woes continue.
Snapped up for just £30m from relegated Ipswich Town, the 22-year-old could represent a real bargain for the Blues if his early displays are anything to go by, having chalked up one goal and one assist from just his first three outings.
The latest in a succession of youthful additions at Stamford Bridge under Todd Boehly, Delap is already beginning to show his worth. Hopefully, Chelsea’s next potential arrival can follow suit.
Latest on Chelsea’s summer transfer search
A growing theme has emerged at Chelsea in recent years, with Delap following the likes of Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo in joining the club, after previously being schooled in Manchester City’s youth ranks.
That trend also saw the Blues snap up another Etihad graduate, Jadon Sancho, last summer, albeit with the club ultimately paying a £5m cancellation fee to cut short his time in the capital, despite having had the chance to make that deal permanent.
Sancho’s departure – alongside Mykhaylo Mudryk’s continued absence – has only served to heighten the need for a fresh face down the left flank, with Boehly and co still pressing on with a deal for one-time Man City product, Jamie Gittens.
Indeed, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that “new and positive negotiations” have taken place between Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund regarding the Englishman, amid prior claims that the 20-year-old has already struck his own agreement with the Blues.
That said, Plettenberg outlines that no club-to-club compromise has yet been reached, with the Bundesliga outfit still demanding a fee in the region of €65m (£55m), if they are to contemplate a sale.
The transfer insider notes that Dortmund are aware of other suitors who are also in the mix, although “no direct talks” have been held with Bayern Munich to date. Chelsea, as such, still appear to be leading the race.
Why Gittens could be Chelsea’s own Florian Wirtz
Chelsea are currently basking in the delight of young Delap, although it’s hard to ignore the statement addition to the Premier League so far this summer, in the form of Liverpool’s £116m signing of Florian Wirtz.
Plucked from Bayer Leverkusen, the Anfield side have broken the bank in order to sign the 22-year-old German sensation, with Wirtz coming off the back of a season in which he registered 31 goals and assists in 45 games in all competitions.
Gittens – who registered 17 goal involvements in Germany from 49 appearances last term – may not be quite at that level just yet, although he could represent Maresca’s own exciting, fleet-footed acquisition from the Bundesliga.
Indeed, the Dortmund speedster – who has been described as an “explosive winger” by talent scout Jacek Kulig – is recognised as a statistically similar player to Wirtz, among those in their position in the German top-flight in 2024/25, as per FBref.
That likeness is particularly evidenced by the duo’s dribbling prowess, with Gittens ranking in the top 1% of his peers for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, while Wirtz is only just behind after ranking in the top 5% and the top 3% for those same two metrics, respectively.
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Gittens vs Wirtz – 24/25 Bundesliga comparison |
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|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Gittens |
Wirtz |
|
Non-penalty goals |
0.41 |
0.31 |
|
Assists |
0.15 |
0.46 |
|
Shot-creating actions |
3.70 |
5.67 |
|
Pass completion |
76.5% |
78.3% |
|
Progressive passes |
2.13 |
6.74 |
|
Progressive carries |
5.73 |
5.01 |
|
Successful take-ons |
3.90 |
3.14 |
|
Touches in attacking penalty area |
5.57 |
5.24 |
|
Progressive passes received |
9.12 |
11.83 |
|
Stats via FBref |
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While the England youth star did only score eight goals and register just four assists in the Bundesliga, that came amid just 23 league starts, ensuring his non-penalty goals per 90 record actually places him ahead of Wirtz in that regard.
What that suggests is that if afforded a consistent run of games, the London-born wonderkid can potentially reach even greater heights, providing Maresca with another exciting attacking weapon to wield.
Comfortable operating off the left flank or as more of an “inside forward”, as noted by Kulig, Gittens’ versatility again highlights that likeness to Wirtz, with Liverpool’s new man also comfortable lining up all across the front line.
That reported £55m price tag may appear steep for a player yet to even earn a senior England cap, yet – as they are beginning to find in the case of Delap – such a deal could actually represent a bargain, if he does manage to replicate the heroics of the £116m-rated Wirtz.
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