It has been a slow start to life in the Premier League for one of Chelsea’s new additions.
Joao Pedro has managed to make an impact for the Blues, delivering at the Club World Cup and in the English top flight.
In his first six appearances for the club, the striker has already scored five goals. Pedro also impressed for Brazil in their 3-0 win against Chile on Friday.
Fellow new signing Jamie Gittens, though, is still finding his feet at Stamford Bridge and already looks to be under pressure.
Jamie Gittens under pressure as Estevao Willian shines
Gittens is not competing against Pedro for a spot in the team, nor is he a direct rival to Estevao Willian.
However, the impact that Estevao has made could see Enzo Maresca start him on the right and move Pedro Neto to the left, which would leave no room for Gittens in the side.
It is something that the Chelsea head coach has already done following Cole Palmer’s injury, and it has worked.
Estevao has been excellent for the Conference League winners, registering an assist in their 5-1 hammering of West Ham United.
Gittens, in contrast, has not been anywhere near as effective and disappointed in Chelsea’s first game of the season, a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
The winger started that day but was named on the bench in Chelsea’s following two matches. It is early days, but Gittens needs to deliver the next time he gets an opportunity and not just because of Estevao.
Alejandro Garnacho signing adds even more pressure
As well as Gittens, Chelsea also signed Alejandro Garnacho for the left-wing position.
It means that the former Borussia Dortmund man, who cost his new employers an initial £48m fee, could find himself competing against Garnacho and Neto for a spot in Maresca’s starting XI.
From Maresca’s perspective, squad depth is good. But Gittens could have done without the extra competition.
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