Chelsea news: Gittens set to replace ‘world-class midfielder’ Alonso

Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens says he will join Xabi Alonso’s squad next season and describes his new manager as “one of the best to do it”.

The 21-year-old joined the Blues from Borussia Dortmund in a £52m deal last summer but struggled to make a big impact in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

Asked if he was told he was part of Alonso’s plan, Gitten initially replied: “Yes.”

He continued: “He just wants me to stay positive, take on the players, keep creating chances and push myself to the max.”

Gittens added that the squad respects Alonso because he was a “world-class midfielder” during his playing career with Real Madrid and Liverpool, among others.

He also said that when he faced Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side while playing in Germany, it was “really tough”. Leverkusen won the Bundesliga title and the German Cup in Alonso’s first full season.

Added Gittens: “They really were a team.”

Chelsea lacked team cohesion last season as they finished 10th in the Premier League, failed to qualify for European football and finished the campaign without a trophy.

However, he is confident that £117m British transfer record signings such as Morgan Rodgers, who he played with in Manchester City’s academy, will “raise the bar” and Chelsea maintain their ambition to “win everything”.

Gittens is also back on track after Alonso scored behind closed doors against EFL clubs Crawley and Bromley in his first two games, having suffered a hamstring injury in January and missing the back end of last season.

He insisted he was “90% fit” after holiday training camps in Portugal and Spain

However, he admitted: “It was difficult because it was my first muscle injury. I feel a lot better, the hamstring is better.

“I want to be successful here. I have to show people what I can do. I’ve shown little glimpses, I would say, but this season will be a good season.”