Jamie Gittens Says He Is Set for Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea Squad

What happened: Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens has said he will be involved in Xabi Alonso’s squad next season, according to BBC Football. Gittens also described Alonso as “one of the best to do it”, a notable public endorsement from a player trying to establish his place under a new manager.

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Why it matters: Early comments from players after a managerial change can be easy to overread, but this one still carries practical value. Gittens is not simply praising Alonso from the outside; he is framing himself as part of the squad picture for the coming campaign. That matters because Chelsea’s attacking depth and selection hierarchy are usually under heavy scrutiny, and a winger publicly expecting involvement is a marker to track once preseason and competitive squads begin to clarify.

Squad angle: The source does not say Alonso has guaranteed Gittens minutes, a starting role, or a defined position. It only confirms Gittens’ own statement that he will be involved. That distinction is important. In tournament and league terms, being in the squad is the first threshold. The next tests are whether he appears in matchday selections, whether his minutes arrive in high-leverage fixtures, and whether Alonso uses him as a specialist wide option, rotation piece, or developmental player.

Manager fit: Gittens’ praise for Alonso also points to the wider reset Chelsea are entering. A new manager creates new tactical demands, and young attacking players often face a narrow window to show they can absorb those demands quickly. Alonso’s reputation, strengthened by his coaching work before arriving at Chelsea, gives the situation extra attention. Gittens’ comments suggest buy-in, but the evidence will come only when selections begin.

Tournament impact: For Chelsea, the immediate consequence is depth rather than certainty. If Gittens is genuinely part of Alonso’s first-team planning, he could become useful across congested stretches where rotation matters. That is especially relevant in cup ties and periods where domestic and European commitments compress recovery time. For fans assessing Chelsea’s attacking options, Gittens is now a name to keep on the active squad watchlist rather than treating him as a peripheral unknown.

What to watch: The next meaningful signals are squad inclusion, substitution patterns, and whether Alonso gives Gittens minutes in competitive fixtures rather than only preseason or lower-risk moments. Comments are useful, but team sheets will be more reliable.

Confidence: Confirmed by the source: Gittens said he will be involved in Alonso’s Chelsea squad next season and praised Alonso as one of the best. Still unconfirmed: his exact role, playing time, tactical responsibilities, and whether Alonso’s selections will match Gittens’ expectation.