Chelsea Academy Addiction: Another Former City Starlet in Their Crosshairs

Just when you thought Chelsea's obsession with hoovering up Manchester City's former academy jewels had reached peak absurdity, along comes another chapter in this increasingly predictable saga. The west London outfit, who've turned raiding City's youth system into something of an art form, are now reportedly circling Jamie Gittens like vultures around a particularly appetising carcass.

Having already assembled what could generously be described as City's greatest hits tribute act—featuring Cole Palmer, the dependable Tosin Adarabioyo, Lavia and the promising Liam Delap—Chelsea appear determined to complete their collection of Etihad cast-offs. One can only imagine Todd Boehly maintaining a meticulously organised spreadsheet titled "Former City Kids We Haven't Bought Yet."

The 20-year-old Gittens, currently plying his trade rather successfully at Borussia Dortmund, has reportedly caught Chelsea's wandering eye to the tune of £30 million. 

Dortmund, those shrewd operators at Signal Iduna Park, are predictably holding out for a fee north of Chelsea's opening gambit. Can't say one blames them—they've watched Gittens blossom from promising youngster to genuine talent since pinching him from City's academy in 2020. It's almost as if giving young players consistent opportunities and proper development works wonders. Revolutionary stuff, really.

Personal terms on a seven-year deal have reportedly been agreed, because nothing screams "long-term planning" quite like committing nearly a decade to a player based on eighteen months of decent Bundesliga form. Still, at least Chelsea's commitment to lengthy contracts remains as unwavering as their commitment to buying other clubs' former prospects.

The delicious irony in all this? City stand to pocket a tidy windfall thanks to the 10% sell-on clause they wisely inserted when Gittens departed for Germany. While Chelsea splash the cash with all the restraint of a lottery winner in Harrods, Pep Guardiola's side will be quietly banking their percentage, no doubt chuckling at the beautiful symmetry of it all.

It's becoming something of a pattern, isn't it? Chelsea's recruitment team seemingly operates under the philosophy that the grass is always greener in City's former academy players' current clubs. One can't help but wonder if they've considered the radical approach of, perhaps, developing their own talent rather than consistently paying premium prices for players who've already proven themselves elsewhere.

But then again, where's the fun in sensible, long-term planning when you can continue this merry dance of chasing your neighbours' former academy graduates? At this rate, Chelsea might as well rename Cobham to "The Manchester City Academy Alumni Centre."

The deadline looms—Tuesday's Club World Cup cut-off adds the requisite urgency to proceedings. Whether Dortmund will budge on their valuation remains to be seen, but if history's any guide, Chelsea's chequebook diplomacy usually finds a way. And City? They'll be counting their sell-on fee percentages all the way to the bank.