Can fit-again Gittens win over Alonso after frustrating first season at Chelsea?

Big things were expected of the winger when he traded Borussia Dortmund for the Blues in a £48million switch a year ago.

Injury problems restricted him to 27 appearances in all competitions and he made just 12 starts before hamstring trouble ruled him out for the rest of the campaign in January. 

After working throughout the summer break to get back in shape, Gittens is determined to impress new boss Xabi Alonso in pre-season — but can he convince the Spaniard he is worthy of a place in the starting XI?

Confidence is key 

Although Gittens, 21, prefers to cut in from the left to have a crack at goal or create chances for team-mates, he is equally happy playing on the opposite flank.

Considering the right-footed star's first season at Stamford Bridge was disrupted by fitness issues, a return of one goal and five assists arguably wasn't too bad. 

But it will take the form that produced 12 goals and five assists during his final season at Dortmund that Alonso will demand from the England Under-21 ace — and that will only be possible if confidence remains high. 

Gittens, who scored as Chelsea beat Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4 today, said: “I’m feeling much better now. I’m feeling more confident. My hamstring is good.

“I have to keep going now, keep pushing myself, get more minutes in the legs, train myself to the maximum so hopefully I can have a good season.

“I just want to show everyone what I can do. I’ve just shown glimpses so far, I would say, so my objective is to keep getting better, keep working on myself."

Alonso has Gittens feeling positive

After playing under Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior last term, Gittens was sidelined when interim head coach Calum McFarlane took charge.

He could only watch from the sidelines as Chelsea missed out on European football and finished the season as FA Cup runners-up.

But the former Manchester City starlet is confident the Londoners can improve on their lowly 10th-place finish in the Premier League with Alonso at the helm.

And he is relishing the opportunity to improve his game under the watchful eye of a manager who won trophies galore with Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Spain during a glittering playing career.

Gittens added: “He was a top player and he’s obviously a top coach. For him to come in and teach us, it’s the best thing for us to improve as a team.

“He’s a very nice guy. He talks to us individually, speaks to us about what we can improve on, what we can do better.

“He’s told me to just keep being positive, to keep taking on players, keep on creating chances and to keep on pushing myself to the maximum.

“The mood in the camp is very positive. Everyone’s looking forward to the new season, to be better and to succeed."

Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images

Three trophies up for grabs

The fact Chelsea do not have the distraction of playing in Europe is seen by many Blues fans as a blessing after the disappointment of last season. 

But Gittens and his team-mates will be well aware that less games will mean fewer opportunities to shine. That, however, has not tempered the desire as the Blues eye domestic glory on three fronts. 

Gittens said: "We want to win everything. That's our ambition… to win the Premier League, to win every cup.

“Our quality is there for sure. As a team, we've got great individuals on the pitch who can do amazing things, but we've got to try to put it all together.

“Right now everyone's just got to keep working hard and keep showing the gaffer what we are made of.”

It remains to be seen how big a role Gittens will play under Alonso as Chelsea chase glory. But his age, transfer fee and seven-year contract would suggest he has as good a chance as anyone of getting regular minutes. 

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