‘Xabi Alonso is one of the best’ amid Chelsea revival

Jamie Gittens says he expects to play a big part for Xabi Alonso this season, calling his new boss one of the best in the game. It’s the latest boost in a run of positive Chelsea news as pre-season training builds toward the new campaign.

Xabi Alonso gives Jamie Gittens a fresh boost

Gittens joined Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund last summer for £52m. He found it hard to settle in England during his first season and often looked short on confidence. He made just 16 Premier League appearances in 2025-26, failing to score and registering only two assists, numbers well below what was expected of a marquee summer signing. As reported by BBC, the 21-year-old has been told he is part of Alonso’s plans this year. Gittens said his coach simply wants him to stay bold, keep taking on defenders, create more chances and keep pushing his own limits in training. He feels that message alone has helped him already.

The winger also spoke about facing Alonso’s old side, Bayer Leverkusen, during his time in Germany. He said those games were never easy, since Leverkusen played with real order and a strong team shape. Alonso led that side to a league and cup double in his first full season, ending a long wait for a major trophy. Gittens said the German side always felt like one unit on the pitch, a memory that has stayed with him.

Gittens’ stats in the 2025-26 season, as per FOTMOB:

Chelsea look to bounce back this year

Chelsea had a rough season under their old setup, finishing tenth in the Premier League and missing out on any silverware. That finish also means no European football next season. Gittens admitted the squad lacked real unity last term, and feels that hurt them more than any single result on the pitch.

He now believes new faces can shift that mood in the dressing room. Morgan Rogers signed for a British-record £117m this summer, and Gittens knows him well from their days together at the Manchester City academy. He feels signings of that quality will raise the standard in training daily. Jamie Gittens still believes the Blues can chase every trophy on offer this season, despite last year’s setbacks.

Gittens chases full fitness after injury blow

As reported by BBC, Gittens missed the final months of last season after picking up a hamstring injury in January, his first serious muscle issue as a professional. He is now back in full training and has already scored in two friendly games under his new manager, against lower-league sides Crawley and Bromley. The winger says he feels close to 90% fit after a hard training camp in Portugal and Spain.

He admitted the injury was tough to deal with at first, since it was new ground for him. Gittens says his hamstring now feels strong, and his overall fitness keeps improving with every session. He wants to prove his worth this season and show fans what he can truly do on the pitch having only shown flashes of his best form so far in a short Chelsea career. Alonso will get his first look at Gittens in a competitive fixture when Chelsea open the 2026-27 Premier League season away at Fulham on Monday, August 24.

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Deepanjali Bhardwaj

Deepanjali Bhardwaj is the Sports Editor at Six Sports, where she leads editorial coverage across cricket, football, and other major sporting events. She oversees newsroom operations, editorial planning, story development, and publishing standards while ensuring every article meets Six Sports’ commitment to accuracy, transparency, and responsible journalism.

She works closely with writers, editors, and contributors to deliver timely news, match reports, analysis, features, and explainers covering domestic and international competitions. Her editorial approach focuses on factual reporting, clear analysis, and reader-first journalism, helping audiences stay informed about the latest developments across the sporting world.

As Sports Editor, Deepanjali plays a key role in maintaining the publication’s editorial quality, consistency, and independence while guiding coverage of major leagues, tournaments, teams, and athletes.