Romano says “no chance” Chelsea winger sold or loaned despite disappointing season

Jamie Gittens is going to stay put at Chelsea and fight for minutes, according to Fabrizio Romano. It could be a tough battle.

Fabrizio Romano has reported today that Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens will be staying at the club. The transfer insider insists there is “no chance for a loan exit” for the attacker, who arrived at the club a year ago from Dortmund.

Injuries and poor form made it a tough first season with the Blues, and given how ruthless they have been moving on attackers in recent years, it was understandable that there was talk Gittens could go too.

But Romano insists that Chelsea “believe in the winger”, who will have to prove his worth to new manager Xabi Alonsom as well as convincing fans who are so far very unimpressed with the man their club paid more than £50m for.

Gittens faces tough battle to earn minutes in competitive Chelsea team

Gittens staying means Chelsea have a wealth of options in wide areas, from Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer to Geovany Quenda and Pedro Neto, Estevao and Gittens himself.

With no European football to play, that’s bound to mean at least a couple of them end up unhappy with their usage this season. The competition to not be the one left out could help motivate all of them to new levels.

Right now there’s no doubting that Gittens faces an uphill battle to earn a starting spot. He will start the season behind four or perhaps all five of his rivals in the standing, and needs to immediately seize his chance when he gets it.