Chelsea have several players on international duty, and Jamie Gittens could be returning to the club earlier than anticipated after appearing to sustain an injury
Jamie Gittens has become the latest Chelsea injury worry of this international break after limping off during England Under-21s’ clash with the Republic of Ireland.
Blues duo Gittens and Tyrique George started for Lee Carsley’s side, with the latter scoring the late second goal in a 2-0 win. His team-mate also won a penalty midway through the first half, but Stoke City striker Divin Mubama, on loan from Manchester City, had his shot saved.
The former Chelsea full-back Lewis Hall earned another spot-kick on the hour mark, which Mubama this time converted. That gave England a deserved lead, but it also coincided with the end of Gittens’ involvement.
Fulham midfielder Josh King replaced the winger, who headed straight down the tunnel at St Andrew’s.
Gittens had gone down minutes earlier inside the penalty area after a challenge on him was deemed not to be another penalty.
After getting back to his feet, Gittens was moving with a noticeable limp and appeared to be in some discomfort. He did not touch the ball again and came off at what was the next break in play.
The Under-21s play again on Tuesday in Slovakia, and Gittens’ involvement appears in doubt after being withdrawn. He started both of their European Championship qualifiers last month and the one in September, so any absence from the line-up would suggest something is amiss.
Gittens has been ever-present in Chelsea’s matchday squads so far this season, one of only six players who have been. He has featured in all but three of their matches, including each of the last nine games.
The last time Gittens played 90 minutes was late last month against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup fourth round. He assisted their first two goals before scoring what proved to be the winner in a 4-3 win.
Any confirmation that Gittens sustained an injury would be the latest blow to the team out wide. A groin problem led to Pedro Neto withdrawing from the Portugal squad and staying with Chelsea.
The winger asked Enzo Maresca to substitute him soon after scoring against Wolves in their final match before the international break. Chelsea’s head coach said afterwards “we will have to see” when asked about his condition.
Cole Palmer is also not due to be back in time for the return of domestic football next weekend. Mykhailo Mudryk, meanwhile, remains missing due to an ongoing provisional suspension following a positive doping test last year.
Alejandro Garnacho appears likely to remain in the side if Gittens is sidelined for any amount of time. Maresca said of the pair late last month: “They are both adapting to the way we work every day,” he said.
“They are both doing well. This is what we want from our wingers, you know, score goals and assist, and it’s good to have both doing well so we can choose one or the other one.”
Garnacho got the nod against Wolves and impressed. “Garna played a fantastic game on the ball,” Maresca said, “but he was also top without the ball. Pedro Neto was exactly the same, and this is what we need from our wingers.
“He [Garnacho] arrived here from another club where he was not training 100 per cent, so his physical condition was not good. Slowly, slowly [we have worked on that] and now it’s better.
“He is doing very well on the ball and is doing well off the ball. He knows that, to play with us, he has to be good on the ball and off the ball. We are very happy with him in this moment.”
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