Every key Chelsea game Jamie Gittens could miss after confirmed injury update
Liam Rosenior has revealed that Jamie Gittens injured his hamstring as Chelsea beat West Ham last week.
The winger was subbed off in the first half of Chelsea’s 3-2 comeback victory over West Ham, and appeared to grab at the back of his thigh.
The 21-year-old has had a difficult first season at Stamford Bridge, and this latest blow will not make his adaptation any easier.
Chelsea signed Gittens from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, after agreeing a deal worth around £55million.
Gittens has shown talent in bursts at Chelsea, but the England youth international is yet to make his mark.
Jamie Gittens set for extended period on the sidelines
Gittens‘ injury could not have come at a worse time for Chelsea, who are struggling in the wide areas.
Pedro Neto missed the Arsenal game on Tuesday with a slight knock, and Mykhaylo Mudryk remains unavailable due to a doping suspension.
Rosenior ultimately opted to start Liam Delap on the right of the attack against Arsenal, after Estevao had missed training in the build-up to the game due to a personal issue in Brazil.
Alejandro Garnacho represents Chelsea’s other available winger, but the Argentine was shocking against West Ham, and has been unimpressive since arriving from Man United.
Speaking on Thursday, Rosenior gave an update on the fitness of Gittens’ after he had undergone tests.
“Jamie is more long-term,” he explained. “He’s got a tear in his hamstring which is a real shame for him.“
Hamstring injuries can vary in seriousness, but a tear likely refers to a grade two or three issue. The less serious cases of grade two injuries can involve a three-week recovery period.
Rosenior’s usage of the phrase “long-term” would suggest a more serious problem, however, which could take up to three months to recover from.
What key games Gittens will miss
A three-month injury would effectively end Gittens’ first season at Chelsea. The winger would miss a key game against Leeds United in February and the Champions League last-16, when it is drawn.
Into March, and he would be missing out on a horror run for Rosenior’s side, which includes Arsenal, Aston Villa, Man City, and Man United.
| Chelsea – key fixtures | Date |
| Leeds United (H) | 10 Feb |
| Arsenal (A) | 1 Mar |
| Aston Villa (A) | 4 Mar |
| Man City (H) | 11 Apr |
| Man United (H) | 18 Apr |
| Liverpool (A) | 9 May |
With Chelsea likely to be fighting for the top four by the end of the season, Gittens’ absence against Brighton and Nottingham Forest would be felt as well.
Should he return at the start of May, the winger could feature against Liverpool, Tottenham and Sunderland at the end of the season.