Chelsea’s “future Ballon d’Or winner” is already a bigger star than Gittens

Enzo Maresca can have loads of work to do that summer time if he needs to strengthen his Chelsea squad for the challenges forward.

The Blues are set to participate within the inaugural Membership World Cup in America this month.

Whereas the prize cash on supply is ridiculous – the winner is ready to obtain as much as $125m – Maresca will likely be eager on utilizing the event as prolonged preparation for pre-season.

Liam Delap has already been signed by the Stamford Bridge outfit forward of the competitors, however except a deal may be achieved swiftly, this will likely be all of their enterprise earlier than they fly throughout the pond.

After all, this would possibly not cease the supervisor from working exhausting behind the scenes to try to plan with regard to future signings.

Certainly, a number of gamers have been linked not too long ago. Mike Maignan, the French primary and AC Milan goalkeeper, could possibly be tempted to make the transfer from Italy to England within the coming weeks.

Jamie Gittens is one other potential addition to the squad that Maresca is working exhausting to get achieved.

The membership have reportedly had a bid rejected for the winger, with Borussia Dortmund a payment of round £42m for the Englishman.

This may not be wrapped up earlier than the Membership World Cup, however may the Blues make the transfer a precedence?

Why Chelsea wish to signal Jamie Gittens

It’s no secret that the Stamford Bridge outfit likes to hoover up the very best younger skills. The squad is stuffed with gamers who aren’t fairly at their peak, however have unimaginable potential.

Enzo Fernández, Cole Palmer, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu and Moises Caicedo instantly spring to thoughts.

There could possibly be a serious overhaul of the first-team squad this summer time, as a number of gamers look set to depart London. Consequently, there could possibly be a gap for the thrilling Gittens.

Since making his debut for Dortmund 4 seasons in the past, the English ahead has gone from power to power, echoing the trajectory of each Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham on the German membership.

He has revamped 100 appearances for the Bundesliga facet, registering a complete of 31 purpose contributions – 17 targets and 14 assists – a formidable tally at such a young age.

Final season was a combined one for the 20-year-old, nonetheless. He did proceed his improvement through the first half of 2024/25, however as soon as Niko Kovac took over as supervisor, his progress stalled.

The winger created six huge probabilities and succeeded with 2.4 dribbles per sport – a hit charge of 52% – which proved he liked inflicting chaos for opposition defenders.

Beneath Kovac, Gittens began simply 9 of his 16 matches, scoring a solitary purpose for the membership, a stark distinction to the 11 targets he’d netted earlier within the marketing campaign. It’s apparent that the Croatian supervisor doesn’t see a future for the proficient teen in his present system.

If the Blues are capable of safe the providers of Gittens for a payment that will not break the financial institution, they could possibly be onto a winner, little question about that.

He’s younger, has a excessive ceiling and has sparked in a top-five European League whereas making appearances within the Champions League.

Chelsea have a participant becoming a member of within the subsequent few weeks that could be a good greater expertise than Gittens, nonetheless. Step ahead, Estevao.

Chelsea’s future Ballon d’Or winner

In Might 2024, the Blues secured a deal to carry Brazilian sensation Estevao to Stamford Bridge, paying a payment within the area of £29m for the winger.

Through the years, gamers reminiscent of Neymar, Vinícius Jr, Rodrygo and Kaka have moved from Brazil to Europe in a bid to make their mark on the continent.

Estevao isn’t any totally different, and Chelsea actually appeared like they’d struck gold in signing the then-17-year-old.

{The teenager} has obtained some fantastic reward through the embryonic phases of his profession to this point. Analyst Ben Mattinson believes he’s a “future Ballon d’Or winner” whereas already going so far as to say that he’s a “celebrity” because of his early shows for Brazilian facet Palmeiras.

Former prodigy Neymar has even gone so far as to say the teen is a “genius” and this form of reward suggests Chelsea have signed somebody who will rake them in a large revenue in just a few years.

Since making his membership debut in 2023, the 18-year-old has already racked up 78 senior appearances for Palmeiras, scoring 26 targets and grabbing 15 assists within the course of.

His performances within the 2025 Copa Libertadores have been a pleasure to look at certainly. He has recorded 5 purpose involvements throughout his 5 video games within the competitors to this point.

When in comparison with his friends in South America’s most prestigious membership competitors, {the teenager} ranks within the high 1% for touches within the attacking penalty space (7.82) and non-penalty targets (0.95) per 90.

Moreover, he additionally ranks within the high 2% for pictures on the right track (2.13) and for carries into the penalty space (3.32) per 90 for Palmeiras.

His performances have led to the teen already successful 5 caps for Brazil, making his debut towards Ecuador final September, aged simply 17.

If he continues this upwards trajectory, there is no such thing as a doubt Estevao will likely be a daily fixture for his nation beneath the administration of Carlo Ancelotti.

The World Cup is a 12 months away and by having fun with a profitable debut season at Chelsea, he may properly be the star of the present in America subsequent summer time.

His ultimate act as a Palmeiras participant will likely be to take them so far as potential on the Membership World Cup this month.

They’re in a bunch that features Inter Miami, Porto and Al Ahly, with a knockout spherical area is actually attainable if the membership carry out at their finest.

For Maresca, he’ll be capable to depend on the Brazilian sensation as soon as the event ends and the 2025/26 marketing campaign begins.

Whereas Gittens can be an thrilling signing, little question. Do Chelsea want him? If Estevao can hit the bottom working, £29m may grow to be a shrewd piece of enterprise for all concerned.