Chelsea fans are right, Enzo Maresca has no choice but to start one player vs Sunderland

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Chelsea supporters are convinced that one individual has just played his way into Enzo Maresca’s starting line-up against Sunderland.

On Wednesday night, Chelsea thrashed Dutch giants Ajax in the league phase of the Champions League, recording a 5-1 home win.

Next, Blues head coach Enzo Maresca will prepare his side to host Sunderland in the Premier League this weekend.

Chelsea’s players broke several records in their victory against Ajax, including becoming the first team in Champions League history to have three teenagers score in the same fixture.

It is now four consecutive wins across all competitions for the Blues. Can they extend the run against an impressive Sunderland team, though?

• READ MORE: Why Malo Gusto was left out of Chelsea squad for Champions League clash with Ajax

Chelsea fans demand Jamie Gittens starts vs Sunderland

According to Chelsea fans on X, Jamie Gittens should be starting for them against Sunderland because of his impressive midweek performance against Ajax.

One fan wrote: “Gittens deserves to start against Sunderland.”

“I’m starting Gittens against Sunderland. Needs to keep this momentum going and keep gaining confidence,” another posted.

One supporter claimed: “Really good performance from Gittens today. That’s his starting place on Saturday.”

“Gittens deserves a start on Saturday after this,” another said.

Gittens, who started on the left wing against Ajax, performed superbly for 90 minutes.

The 21-year-old Englishman tormented the opposition defence at Stamford Bridge, delivering some wicked deliveries into the penalty box. He picked up a well-deserved assist on the night for Moises Caicedo’s goal, too.

Even though Gittens’ transfer to Chelsea has been questioned because of a slow start, he just reminded everyone why he was so highly rated at Borussia Dortmund.

Chelsea fans are right about Jamie Gittens

Maresca seriously needs to consider giving Gittens back-to-back starts against Sunderland because he was outstanding last night, creating so many chances with so much direct play in the final third.

He’s not started in the Premier League since the draw with Brentford on 13 September, so he’s had to be incredibly patient. However, Alejandro Garnacho has failed to make the most of his recent chances as the left-winger.

Hopefully, Garnacho and Gittens can push each other throughout the 2025-26 season. At the moment, the latter looks like he could be the bigger threat to Sunderland’s defence.

If any player has a bit of confidence and momentum behind them, it makes sense to capitalise on it.