Chelsea eye Bynoe-Gittens transfer as Madueke’s future hangs in the balance

Chelsea have intensified talks with Borussia Dortmund over the potential transfer of Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. According to The Telegraph, the Bundesliga club value the 20-year-old Englishman at approximately £50 million. Bynoe-Gittens is viewed as a fast, direct winger who aligns naturally with Enzo Maresca’s vertical, possession-based system.

Madueke’s role under review

If the deal progresses, Noni Madueke could be made available for transfer. As reported by The Guardian, clubs in both the Premier League and Bundesliga have expressed interest, though no formal bids have been submitted. Chelsea’s coaching staff are re-evaluating Madueke’s tactical fit within the new structure. The winger, now 23 years old, joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for €35 million.

During the 2024–25 season, Madueke made 41 appearances across all competitions, recording 11 goals and 5 assists. He started in the UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis and initiated the equalising goal in a 4–1 victory, underlining his offensive contribution.

Enzo Maresca publicly noted throughout the season the importance of competition and tactical discipline. Their professional relationship reportedly improved in the second half of the campaign, with Madueke stating after the final:

“People don’t see what he does behind the scenes. I trust him completely.”

Bynoe-Gittens fits the system

Bynoe-Gittens had a mixed but promising season at Dortmund, scoring 12 goals and delivering 5 assists in 48 appearances. He also netted in the Champions League group stage against Real Madrid, emerging as one of the most dynamic players in the attacking third.

Primarily a right-footed left winger, Bynoe-Gittens prefers to cut inside to attack central spaces—tactically in line with Maresca’s use of inverted wingers in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Having joined Dortmund from Manchester City’s academy in 2020, he has made notable strides in ball progression, decision-making, and spatial awareness.

Left-wing depth issues

Raheem Sterling was loaned to Arsenal after being excluded from long-term plans, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains sidelined due to an ongoing doping investigation. These developments have left Chelsea short on left-sided attacking options in both numbers and tactical profile.

Bynoe-Gittens is seen as a player capable of filling that void with directness, pace, and strong off-ball movement—attributes Chelsea’s flank rotation currently lacks.

Part of Chelsea’s youth-oriented project

The move reflects Chelsea’s broader recruitment model. Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart continue to focus on under-23 players with high development ceilings. According to The Athletic, the club’s ownership under Behdad Eghbali and Clearlake Capital prioritises performance-linked value creation over the course of long-term contracts.

Bynoe-Gittens follows the same strategic pathway as Carney Chukwuemeka (signed from Aston Villa at 18 for £20m in 2022), Malo Gusto (joined from Lyon at 19 for €30m in 2023), and Andrey Santos (recruited from Vasco da Gama at 18 for €12.5m in 2023).

Whether Chelsea retain Madueke or elevate Bynoe-Gittens as their main left-sided option, the decision will significantly shape their attacking identity for the 2025–26 season.