Chelsea have several players at the club who were once on Premier League rivals Manchester City’s books.
The above includes the likes of Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia, while even manager Enzo Maresca spent some time coaching at the Etihad.
Chelsea’s acquisition of Liam Delap will see another former City player move to Stamford Bridge, but the Blues may not stop there.
Jadon Sancho was also at the Citizens’ academy before his switch to Borussia Dortmund in 2017, but he is set to return to Manchester United this summer.
Chelsea’s potential starting XI next season including Jamie Gittens and Morgan Rogers
While Sancho is leaving Chelsea, Jamie Gittens could be about to join them. Several outlets, including The Standard, have claimed that Chelsea are in talks with Dortmund to sign Gittens.
It is also thought that Chelsea could make a move for Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa. Both the attacking midfielder and Gittens have also been part of City’s academy.
With Palmer, Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo already at Chelsea and Delap set to join, it means Maresca could field a starting XI with six ex-City players next season.
The Blues were already interested in Gittens before a decision on Sancho’s future was made. But with the 25-year-old leaving, that increases the chances of a new wide man like Gittens coming in.
In February, it was claimed that Chelsea were already working on a deal for Gittens, showing that he has not spontaneously become a target for them. One-on-one, the 20-year-old has been described as “incredible” by former manager Nuri Sahin via the Bundesliga’s official website.
Jamie Gittens’ history with Chelsea
City are not the only English club Gittens has been at. As a child, Gittens also played for Chelsea so would be returning to west London if the Blues can agree a deal with Dortmund.
The England U21 international is not the only winger on the club’s radar. Chelsea have reportedly contacted Nico Williams’ agents, too, though his wage demands are proving problematic for the Conference League winners and other interested parties.
