“He’s Injured; He Is Going to Be Out for a Few Weeks” — Chelsea Boss Drops ‘Bad News’ on £52m Star

According to a report by Football London on October 9, 2026, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Jamie Gittens will be unavailable for the Premier League encounter against Bournemouth after sustaining an ankle injury while on international duty with England Under-21s.

Alonso provided the disappointing update ahead of Saturday’s fixture at Stamford Bridge, explaining that the young winger is expected to remain out of action for several weeks.

“He’s not going to be fit for tomorrow, that’s the bad news. He’s injured his ankle and he is going to be out for a few weeks,” the Chelsea manager stated.

The development comes as another setback for Gittens, who has been attempting to secure a regular place in Chelsea’s first team since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund.

The 22-year-old picked up the injury during England Under-21s’ 4-2 win over Kazakhstan in a European Under-21 Championship qualifying match on September 25. He was unable to continue beyond the 39th minute and was subsequently withdrawn from the national team squad to undergo further medical assessment.

England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley later revealed that Gittens had received a kick to his ankle during the encounter. The winger was also spotted leaving the stadium on crutches, sparking concerns about the seriousness of his condition.

Following the incident, Chelsea arranged for him to return to the club for medical examinations and appropriate treatment.

Gittens completed his move from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea in the summer of 2025. The Blues brought him in to add pace, creativity and dribbling ability to their attacking options, particularly in the wide areas.

However, the winger has encountered difficulties maintaining consistency because of recurring injury problems since arriving at Stamford Bridge. He previously dealt with hamstring issues that restricted his playing time and prevented him from establishing himself firmly in the squad.

His latest ankle injury is another frustrating development, especially as he looks to gain more opportunities and prove his value under Alonso. Regular appearances would be crucial to his development and his chances of securing a more significant role in the team.

Chelsea must now prepare for their meeting with Bournemouth without the England Under-21 international. The Blues will be eager to return to winning ways after suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brentford in their previous Premier League match.

Gittens’ absence further limits Alonso’s attacking options as Chelsea navigate a demanding period of the season. The manager will need to consider alternative players capable of providing pace and attacking threat from the flanks.

Although Alonso has confirmed that the winger will be sidelined for several weeks, he has not specified an exact date for his return. His availability will depend on his response to treatment and the progress he makes during rehabilitation.

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