Enzo  Maresca Maps Chelsea Attacking Transfer Plans: Jamie Gittens Eyed After Jadon Sancho Return to Man Utd

Why Chelsea’s New Boss Says “We Need to Do Something” – and How Dortmund’s Starlet Fits the Blues’ Summer Puzzle

The drums of summer are beating loudly in west London, and Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca can already hear them echoing through Stamford Bridge. Fresh off a topsy‑turvy 2024‑25 campaign that ended with Champions League qualification but plenty of unanswered questions up front, the Italian tactician has wasted no time outlining his next task: rebuild an underperforming attack.

Maresca’s blunt verdict in his recent press conference – “We need to do something” – captured more than just a sense of urgency; it was a mission statement for a team that, despite lavish spending, still lacks the clinical edge and positional depth befitting its European ambitions. With Jadon Sancho back at Manchester United after an underwhelming loan, and with only three recognised wingers currently on the books, Chelsea’s summer priorities have crystallised.

Enter Jamie Gittens, Borussia Dortmund’s dynamic wide forward, now top of the Blues’ wish list. Two bids have already been knocked back by the Bundesliga side, yet Chelsea remain undeterred. As Maresca himself put it, “When the transfer window is open, for sure, we can do something.” And something – perhaps several somethings – is exactly what supporters now expect.

The Sancho Conundrum: ‘Thanks, But No Thanks’

Chelsea FC Training Session And Press Conference – What maresca said

When Chelsea secured a season‑long loan for Jadon Sancho last summer, the move was widely hailed as a low‑risk masterstroke. The England international was itching for a fresh start after a turbulent spell at Old Trafford, and Chelsea were desperate for a winger with creativity, pace, and big‑match experience. Yet, for all his talent, Sancho never truly caught fire in blue. Fleeting flashes aside, he finished the campaign with four Premier League goals and just two assists – solid numbers for some, but not enough to justify a £60‑plus million outlay for a permanent deal.

Maresca’s decision – backed by the board – to pass on Sancho’s buy‑option speaks volumes about the Italian’s vision. Substance over sentiment; output over upside. “Jadon is not with us,” Maresca said. “So that is a position we need to do something about.” A year ago the idea of Sancho departing without fanfare would’ve felt implausible. But football, especially at Chelsea, rarely waits for talent to catch up with expectation.

Jamie Gittens: The Next Piece of the Puzzle?

If there’s one thing Chelsea’s recruitment team love, it’s a high‑ceiling project. Jamie Gittens ticks that box and more. At 20, he’s already made a name for himself in Germany for fearless dribbling, intelligent movement inside the half‑spaces, and a left‑foot rocket that keeps keepers honest from distance. Dortmund’s production line has rarely failed to maximise wide talents – see Pulisic, Sancho, Dembélé, and now Karim Adeyemi – and the Blues believe Gittens could be the next gem to sparkle at the Bridge.

Sources in Germany describe Chelsea’s interest as “serious and sustained.” The opening gambit? An offer of around £35 million, swiftly turned down. A second bid nudged closer to £45 million, but Dortmund remain adamant that Gittens – who still has two years left on his contract – can fetch more, especially with English clubs sniffing around. Chelsea, buoyed by Champions League revenue and new minority investment from BlueCo partners, are preparing a third, likely decisive approach once the Club World Cup dust settles.

Maresca’s admiration for the player is no secret. Gittens’ ability to hug the touchline, isolate defenders one‑v‑one, and still drift centrally echoes traits he prized at Leicester in his short but successful stint there. But crucially, the youngster’s willingness to press aggressively without the ball – a non‑negotiable for Maresca – makes him an even more appealing fit.

The Current State of Chelsea’s Wing Department

So who actually is available to Maresca right now?

• Noni Madueke: A mercurial dribbler who’s equally likely to dance past three defenders or disappear on a quiet afternoon. High upside, but still inconsistent in final‑third decision‑making.

• Pedro Neto: One of last season’s few success stories, but he spent extended spells at wing‑back due to the club’s tactical reshuffles. Excellent creator, but injury history hovers ominously.

• Tyrique George: Academy graduate with raw pace and fearless intent. However, he’s still an unpolished diamond, unlikely to shoulder the Champions League burden alone.

That’s it. Three specialist wide men for four competitions, two of whom have battled fitness concerns in the past 18 months. Depth, to put it mildly, is a real concern. Maresca knows it. Sporting director Paul Winstanley knows it. And supporters, who watched goal after golden chance go begging down the stretch last term, definitely know it.

Jackson’s Second‑Half Swoon – and the Delap Response

It’s no coincidence Chelsea were also linked with strikers for months. Nicolas Jackson, electric before Christmas, saw his confidence evaporate during a barren early‑spring run. His first‑touch heavy finishes became memes for rival fans, and while the Senegalese forward eventually rediscovered form in the run‑in, damage had been done. Chelsea’s answer? Move quickly for Ipswich’s Liam Delap, triggering his £30 million release clause and securing a robust, aerially dominant No. 9 to challenge Jackson.

Delap’s arrival buys Maresca options up top. But it also underscores the hierarchy’s willingness to spend again when an upgrade is available. If they were prepared to out‑muscle suitors for Delap, few doubt they’ll push Dortmund to the negotiation table for Gittens.

Financial Fair Play? Chelsea Still Dancing on the Tightrope

Of course, there’s a caveat: profit and sustainability rules. Chelsea have mastered the dark arts of amortisation, selling academy graduates for near‑pure profit to balance big‑money incomings. This summer will likely see more exits: Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher, and even Trevoh Chalobah are being linked with moves that could generate substantial funds.

Don’t rule out one marquee departure either. Club insiders insist no “untouchables” exist if a stratospheric bid arrives. Should a European heavyweight test Chelsea’s resolve for, say, Levi Colwill or Moisés Caicedo, the Blues may listen. Any significant sale would grease the wheels for Gittens, or another high‑priced wide man if Dortmund stand firm.

What Happens After the Club World Cup?

Maresca’s short‑term priority is clear: navigate Chelsea’s maiden appearance at the expanded Club World Cup without losing momentum. But once that global spectacle finishes, the transfer machine kicks back into high gear. Negotiations for Gittens will accelerate. Parallel conversations for alternative wide targets – Lille’s Edon Zhegrova and Bayer Leverkusen’s Omari Frost have been mooted – will run concurrently.

The manager has set the tone: Get me another winger. The board, desperate to avoid another season of wasted chances, appear ready to comply. Whether Jamie Gittens becomes the solution or Dortmund dig in their heels remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Chelsea’s summer shopping list has an unmistakable headline – “left and right wing urgently required.”

And in west London, words like “urgent” rarely stay on the page for long before a Stamford Bridge presentation follows.