'Worst transfer of all time' - Chelsea fans destroy 'extremely lazy' flop who lost possession 10 times vs Cardiff City

Chelsea supporters were spitting feathers as the Premier League giants struggled against League One Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup.

Cole Palmer was left out of the squad as one of the Blues' multiple changes at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, 16 December, with Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte given rare starts.

It was a first 45 minutes to forget, and still not the best display until substitute Alejandro Garnacho pounded on a mistake to open the scoring just before the hour mark.

Garnacho has not impressed massively since leaving Man United, but the winger could hardly miss before grabbing a brace to sandwich an effort from Pedro Neto and David Turnbull's header.

Jamie Gittens 'one of the worst purchases' in Chelsea history

The Argentine was brought on at half-time, replacing George for more threat in the final third, but it was Jamie Gittens that the majority of fans expected to be hooked during the break.

The 21-year-old has scored just once since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, and supporters are already fed up with the player's lack of ability on the ball.

With the 21-year-old also being accused of not being "ready for professional football," fans are in agreement that he could be one of the club's worst transfers in history.

• @_JoeAlexanderr: "Joe Shields really encouraged a ‘data-led’ recruitment policy to spend £55 million on Gittens and £60 million on Lavia. Ok."
• @_papayaw1: "Jamie Gittens isn’t ready for professional football."
• @AlexxFogg: "Gittens might actually be the worst footballer I’ve ever seen at my club, don’t even hate the guy, he’s just not good."

Gittens' performance in numbers before being hooked for Pedro Neto

The main frustration from Gittens' performance will be that he was dispossessed on 10 different occasions [Sofascore], forcing his teammates onto the back foot far too many times.

He also failed to complete either of his two attempted dribbles, lost 75 per cent of his ground duels, 100 per cent of his aerial duels, created just a single chance, and saw two shots blocked [FotMob].

Away supporters were baffled by Maresca's decision to keep the struggling winger on for more than 45 minutes, having lasted until the 68th minute before being replaced by Neto.

This is no rare occurrence either. Fans have been very underwhelmed by the England youth international, and had the Bluebirds taken their chances, he might have been in even more trouble.

Gittens has started just four Premier League games since arriving in West London, and after his night in South Wales, it would be surprising to see him given another chance anytime soon.