Jamie Gittens is already making waves at Chelsea, and his dedicated pre-season preparation is a major reason why. After a summer of change, including a move from Borussia Dortmund, Gittens is feeling right at home in West London. While his new teammate Joao Pedro was shining at the Club World Cup, Gittens' prior commitment with Dortmund meant he could only watch from afar. However, this didn't deter him from hitting the ground running.
Gittens' Algarve Training Camp
Instead of taking a long vacation, Gittens opted for an intensive training camp in the Algarve, Portugal. He spent ten to eleven days working with a personal trainer, focusing on both gym work and on-the-pitch drills. "I think I did ten or 11 days out there with a personal trainer, just to get the extra work in so I can stay fit, stay sharp and be ready to play for Chelsea," Gittens explained. This dedication ensured he was in peak condition for his first season in blue.
Early Integration with the Chelsea Squad
Gittens also made the most of his time around the Chelsea team during the Club World Cup, even before officially joining. He spent a few days with his new teammates, getting to know them and the staff. "It was nice to be around the team at the Club World Cup, to talk to them, to get to know the players and staff members," Gittens said. "I think it was important to do that so I could get involved with everyone early. It helped with the settling-in period when I arrived at training.”
Impressive Debut & Positive Outlook
Gittens' hard work paid off during Chelsea's first pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen. While Estevao Willian initially stole the show, Gittens proved to be an equally challenging opponent for the Leverkusen defenders when he came on in the second half. His debut performance demonstrated his readiness and potential to make a significant impact for Chelsea this season.
Gittens is clearly enjoying his new life in West London, praising the club's facilities, his teammates, and the competitive training environment. "The people at Chelsea have been really good and I have lots of positive things to say about the club. The facilities are amazing, the training pitches, the gym, the spa, it’s all really modern. It has been really easy to adapt to the club," he said.