Enzo Maresca Explains Jamie Gittens’ Absence from Newcastle Match

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, provided clarity on Jamie Gittens’ absence during the recent match against Newcastle. Gittens did not feature in the squad, leading to speculation about his condition. The Blues managed to earn a draw, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to end the game at 2-2.

Jamie Gittens: Injury Update

Jamie Gittens, who joined Chelsea for an initial fee of £48.5 million from Borussia Dortmund, was sidelined due to a shoulder issue. Maresca confirmed that Gittens sustained this injury during a final training session prior to the Newcastle match. However, he is now fit and ready to play in the upcoming game against Aston Villa.

Performance and Competition

• Gittens is among five attacking players signed by Chelsea in the summer.
• The 21-year-old has made 20 appearances this season, contributing one goal and five assists.
• He scored his first goal for Chelsea against Wolves in the Carabao Cup.

Maresca noted that Gittens competes for playing time with Alejandro Garnacho, who has established himself as the first choice on the left wing. Gittens has faced challenges in securing regular minutes this season.

Injury Report: Jorrel Hato

While Gittens is cleared to play, Maresca announced that Jorrel Hato will miss the Aston Villa match due to an injury sustained during warm-ups against Newcastle. Hato, who joined from Ajax last summer, is still adjusting to his new team but is expected to receive more chances in the second half of the season.

Upcoming Matches

As Chelsea prepares for their next fixture against Aston Villa, the coaching team is optimistic about the availability of Gittens. The team aims to build on their recent comeback performance.