Borussia Dortmund have had a mixed season so far, with lots of ups and downs, lately at least, with a positive trend and a couple of good performances. One of Dortmund’s glimmers of hope and one of the best youngsters of the season so far has been winger Jamie Gittens. Therefore, it’s not a big surprise that some clubs outside the Premier League have already started talking with Gittens’ management.
In late summer 2020, Borussia Dortmund signed Jamie Gittens from Manchester City’s youth academy. Even back then, some experts immediately congratulated the club for signing one of the biggest talents from the UK. Gittens had to prove this from now on, and he absolutely did.
His first full season at the club has already been a story of success. He was showing his great potential in the youth teams of Borussia Dortmund by helping the team to reach the quarter-finals in the UEFA Youth League for example with incredible performances. This is how he earned his first minutes with the professionals in the Bundesliga towards the end of the season as well. It sounds like a fairy tale, but this wouldn’t be the full story, unfortunately.
Injuries prevented an early breakthrough
Jamie Gittens is unfortunately a player with lots of injuries in his past. That’s why he missed thirty matches in his first full season and his Bundesliga debut was only at the end of the season. Lots of people expected his breakthrough one season later, but again injuries got him badly. His shoulder injuries came back and he again missed twenty-three matches in the whole season. Something that’s difficult to deal with, especially when you’re a youngster and could get chances and playtime in the Bundesliga.
But Gittens never gave up and showed his comeback qualities. Last season was his first without any bigger injuries, and he ended up being a regular substitute for coach Edin Terzic. It wasn’t already enough for becoming a starter, but as a substitute, he has had a huge impact in some matches for Borussia Dortmund already. The full breakthrough was still something to wait for, but Gittens got a couple of steps closer to that.
New coach trusts in Gittens
The new season brought many changes for Borussia Dortmund. After months of stagnation with their play style, the club changed their head coach and promoted the former player and assistant Nuri Sahin to this role. His clear plan has been and still is to play more dominant and with clear characteristics in their game. One of the profiteers of this approach and the change of the coach is Jamie Gittens.
The still really young winger has become a starter quite quickly and already decided a couple of matches in favor of Borussia Dortmund. He showed his great potential in dribblings and improved a lot with his finishing, which could be seen against Eintracht Frankfurt, SC Freiburg or latest against Bayern Munich.
Strong performances lead to strong interest
In the Champions League he was showing his huge development and skills as well. Gittens is a player now, who is definitely able to make the difference in tight matches. Therefore it’s no surprise that huge clubs from the Premier League have started talking to Gittens’ management. At least for now Gittens prefers to stay in Dortmund as some sources close to the player are saying and the club doesn’t want to sell him anyway.
“It is our ambition to keep these players with us for as long as possible. It’s not our aim to make as much money as quickly as possible. He is a player who makes a difference. But he’s also a player who can be a good example to other young players that Dortmund gives you the time to develop yourself and educate yourself even if you are struggling with injuries,” said CEO Carsten Cramer in an interview with Anfield Watch.
Even though Gittens is currently not open for a transfer and the club doesn’t want to sell him anyway, there will probably be some offers for him next summer. Then we will see whether Borussia Dortmund can reject huge offers, in the past days there were also some reports about a pain point of 100 million euros for the twenty years old winger.
Now the focus of the club is completely on the next Bundesliga match. It will be away at Borussia M’gladbach and is going to be a tough challenge. Gittens will be again in the thick of it and probably one of the players we should keep an eye on the most. With the latest performances and results, Borussia Dortmund is the favorite according to experts and bookmakers. Maybe we are currently seeing the beginning of something special in Dortmund, the next weeks until Christmas will tell the truth.
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