Chelsea star smashes Champions League record during Ajax thrashing
Chelsea produced a five-star performance in the Champions League with a handsome victory over Ajax.
Enzo Maresca’s men entered the clash at Stamford Bridge with a win and a loss in the competition after Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Benfica last time out.
But after Chelsea won 3-0 against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, October 18, the Blues had momentum on their side, and they proved too hot to handle for Ajax.
A 17th-minute red card for Kenneth Taylor opened the floodgates for the hosts, as goals from Marc Guiu, Moises Caicedo, Estevao and an Enzo Fernandez brace clinched Chelsea’s 5-1 thrashing of Ajax.
Jamie Gittens breaks Eden Hazard’s Champions League record
Several positives emerged from their Champions League outing, including the performance of Jamie Gittens, who replaced Alejandro Garnacho on the left flank.
The Englishman was electric on the left flank, terrorising Lucas Rosa with his terrifying speed and creating countless opportunities.
| Jamie Gittens’ stats vs Ajax |
| 90 minutes played |
| 2 shots |
| 1 assist |
| 5 key passes |
| 2 accurate crosses |
| 3 successful dribbles |
| 4 ground duels won |
Gittens grabbed the assist for Caicedo’s strike and was a nuisance all night, completing three successful dribbles and making five key passes.
Remarkably, on top of being named Player of the Match, the youngster also made history for the Blues. As highlighted by BBC Sport, the former Borussia Dortmund star became the youngest Chelsea player on record (since 2003-04) to create five chances in a Champions League match (21 years, 75 days).
Eden Hazard was the previous youngest, aged 21 years and 256 days against Juventus in September 2012.
Hazard is one of the greatest ever modern-day wingers, and Gittens will have been delighted to break this record.
Gittens proves Alan Smith wrong
Gittens is one of several exceptional wingers currently on Chelsea’s books, including Pedro Neto, Tyrique George and Garnacho.
He knew that joining the Blues this summer meant he would have to earn his opportunities, doing so with his performance against Ajax.
However, former Arsenal player Alan Smith has questioned Gittens for his transfer to Chelsea, arguing that it was a strange move after Noni Madueke joined Arsenal.
“Jamie Gittens hasn’t been an upgrade though; he’s just been disappearing up blind alleys, and we’ve not seen the best form from him yet,” Smith said.
“That was a strange move. It felt unusual at the time, and it looks even more out of place now. But that’s Chelsea at the moment, isn’t it?“
Whilst he hasn’t started often in the Premier League, the winger has proven he can play a starring role in the Champions League.