Chelsea are in a stronger position than at any point since Roman Abramovich sold the club. Back in the Champions League and with the prospect of a deep run in the Club World Cup this summer, there are reasons to be excited as a Chelsea fan.
The club have already completed the signing of Liam Delap this summer, while wonderkids Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez are joining up with the team after already sealing deals previously.
And the club show no sign of slowing down in the window, with links to a number of targets including another top striker and another winger after Jadon Sancho’s loan move from Manchester United was not made permanent, while Mykhailo Mudryk has now been hit with an anti-doping charge by the FA. Noni Madueke, meanwhile, has also been linked with a surprise exit.
Chelsea have been linked with a number of players this summer for the wide attacking role, but chief among them have been Borussia Dortmund youngster Jamie Gittens and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
If it came down to a straight shootout between the two stars, who should the Blues move for? Our football.london writers decide below…
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Joe Doyle
It’s an interesting choice. Alejandro Garnacho seems to be a better option for Chelsea, all things considered. However, there are caveats.
It looks as if Chelsea are eyeing a move for Gittens at around the £50million mark, and while Manchester United will want more for Garnacho, it’s not likely they’ll get it with both sides making it obvious he has no future at Old Trafford.
Garnacho had a decent if unspectacular season last year, much like many of Chelsea’s wide players. But it was better than Gittens, who dropped off in the second half of the campaign.
The only real issue with a move for Garnacho would arguably be his mentality. There have long been rumours of issues with his entourage at United, and his behaviour on social media recently coupled with the bizarre use of his middle finger on the post-season tour in Asia may well raise doubts about his mentality at a time when he should be putting himself in the shop window.
Clearly there’s some growing up to do – as you would expect with any 20-year-old – and if a move could also be agreed to take Christopher Nkunku to Manchester United then it could solve another issue for Chelsea and push the needle in favour of this route rather than signing Gittens.
Sam Truelove
He has his critics, but I actually really like Alejandro Garnacho.
The 20-year-old has Premier League experience, will improve in the years ahead and solve Enzo Maresca’s left-wing headache if he were to join this summer. The Argentine is very direct and is not afraid to try things. He will run at opposition defenders from minute one to minute 90. He’s exactly what Chelsea need, in a way.
The left-winger has clearly fallen out of favour at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. That may give Chelsea a bargaining chip when trying to drive his price down.
With Jamie Gittens potentially costing more, why not try buy Garnacho for around £40million? You may even get him for less.
Tom Coley
Gittens is definitely the direction Chelsea are heading in but when it comes to player quality, Garnacho is ahead of him right now. For Premier League experience and the readiness to make an immediate impact next season, Garnacho has done it before and suits Chelsea stylistically.
There is still plenty to like about Gittens, but at £50million, it is a lot of money to pay for what he is. There are some serious areas to iron out with his decision-making and end product, even if his dribbling is genuinely excellent.
Garnacho is far from the finished article himself but has a bit more to his game. If Chelsea could find a way to work a deal for £40million or include Christopher Nkunku then it kills two birds with one stone.
Gittens will be their guy but Garnacho is better value for money.
Kieran King
For me, Chelsea should pick Alejandro Garnacho over Jamie Gittens. Yes, Gittens is very talented and has enjoyed a decent season at Borussia Dortmund, but I think Garnacho is a better option.
First of all, Garnacho is proven in the Premier League, having made 93 appearances in the top flight, scoring 16 times and providing 10 assists. He is only 20, will improve in the coming years and would slot straight into Enzo Maresca’s system easily. I feel as though he could flourish at Stamford Bridge.
Garnacho is a direct runner, loves to take on his full-back, has an eye for a goal and is entertaining – traits that the Chelsea supporters would love. At the reported £60m, I think he is worth the money. The Blues are crying out for a new left winger and he could be the perfect addition, it’s safe to say.
Matthew Abbott
Going for Gittens seems the safe option at this stage of the summer. He wants the move and would not come with Garnacho’s baggage from United.
The spotlight would also be significantly different. It took a while for Jadon Sancho to shake off that after a fast start to life at Stamford Bridge; the question is whether Garnacho could do likewise.
He is undoubtedly talented, but there hardly appears to be a host of clubs lining up to take him off United’s hands. Especially at what would still be a significant outlay over a lengthy contract, it could be a gamble too far for Chelsea.
If it comes towards the end of the window, a potential loan move like the one for Sancho could suit them better because of the question marks around Garnacho.
