When it comes to output, Gittens just comes out on top for combined goals and assists, with 17 compared to Sancho's 15. However, they were equal in their goalscoring efficiency, with both having a shot conversion rate of 15.6%.
Sancho's strength lay in what he did for others, creating more chances than Gittens playing more es into the box and winning possession in the final third more often, according to Opta.
Gittens on the other hand, was particularly strong on what he did with the ball at his feet.
The England Under-21 international proved higher for dribbles completed (3.6 to 2.2), 10 or more progressive carries (181 to 133), duels won per 90 (7.2 to 3.6) and then winning over half of those duels (50.1% as opposed to Sancho's 44.7%).
In Enzo Maresca's time at Chelsea, wingers have been interchangeable, with players often switching positions during matches.
The right-hand option has generally been Noni Madueke and he has excelled with his output in attack.
His goals and assists per 90 edges out Gittens at 0.6 compared with 0.5, while he had also more shots per 90 (3.5) and more shots on target per 90 (1.5) than both Gittens and Sancho.
Madueke's 2024-25 also featured more touches in the opposition box per 90 than the other two (8.6 compared to 6.0 and 6.5).
The numbers suggest there is still room for improvement in Gittens' game, and the drop-off towards the end of the season that saw him start only three of the final 10 matches could be a concern.
But, Chelsea often favour potential over ready-made and, at just 20 years old, he has time on his side to become to become a top-level talent.
It is not only Chelsea and Manchester City who are getting their transfer business in order for the Club World Cup. German giants Borussia Dortmund are also working hard in the market.
A fee for Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham is now in place for him to follow brother Jude Bellingham to the German club, while negotiations continue with Chelsea over Jamie Gittens.
BVB have already rejected one offer, but I expect Chelsea to come back with an improved deal.
Dortmund's fortunes were transformed by their late season run of seven wins in their final eight games to secure a place in next season's Champions League.
With Club World Cup finances to come - they are the only European team in their group so you would expect them to reach the last 16 and probably go further than that - they find themselves in a better negotiating position than it had appeared a couple of months ago.
🎧 Rise of American ownership in English footballpublished at 11:07 9 June
11:07 9 June
It is not just at the top of the Premier League where American ownership has a foothold in English football.
Twenty years on from the Glazer takeover of Manchester United, one third of the 72 EFL clubs now have either majority or minority US backers.
In a special episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Kelly Cates is ed by a group of experts to investigate whether this trend is likely to continue.
Do you want business on deadline day?published at 08:34 9 June
08:34 9 June
On Tuesday, the first of two summer transfer windows will come to a close.
So, do you expect business to be done at Chelsea before the deadline? Do you want players to come in or exit? If so, what or who do you think is needed?
Gossip: Chelsea ready bids for Gittens and Maignan published at 07:24 9 June
07:24 9 June
Chelsea's offer of 35m euros (£29.5m) for English winger Jamie Gittens has been rejected by Borussia Dortmund, who are demanding 50-60m euros (£42-£50m) for the 20-year-old. (Sky Sports, external)
Meanwhile, the Blues are prepared to pay AC Milan up to 15m euros (£12.6m) for 29-year-old goalkeeper Mike Maignan. (Sky Sports, external)
'It was tough' - James on injury strugglespublished at 19:13 6 June
19:13 6 June
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea captain Reece James says it "takes a lot out of you" to keep getting setbacks when trying to return from injuries.
The 25-year-old has had a difficult three years with different injury and fitness issues that have left him struggling for consistent game time.
His 19 Premier League appearances this past season is the most he has made since the 2021-22 campaign.
He was able to finish the 2024-25 season strongly with the Blues, helping them secure Champions League football and win the Conference League.
The right-back's form has seen him return to the England fold and have the chance to feature in their World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Saturday.
"For sure I'm moving in the right direction. I finished the season strongly and I am in a good place," James told a pre-match news conference.
"I had a difficult two or three seasons. Always injured, coming back and breaking down again - it was tough.
"It takes a lot out of you when have had so many setbacks but I feel like I have come on leaps and bounds this season.
"Playing consistently, playing for England again, feeling strong - so for sure I am moving in the right direction."
'Kudus is the type of winger Maresca likes'published at 17:58 6 June
17:58 6 June
Image source, Getty Images
Former West Ham first-team coach Edu Rubio has been speaking to BBC Sport about Mohammed Kudus and how he could potentially fit in at Chelsea, should the Ghana winger end up moving to Stamford Bridge.
"Mohammed Kudus can add more attacking threat to Chelsea now that Jadon Sancho is confirmed to go back to Manchester United after the end of his loan spell," said Rubio.
"Kudus is a very versatile attacker like Chelsea duo Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke, as he can play down both flanks and come inside into the middle.
"He fits Blues manager Enzo Maresca's 4-2-3-1 system as well as he is the type of winger he likes.
"But he can also add an aggressive high-press style. His approach to close down the man on the ball is exceptional. He is rapid, intense and effective with it.
"Kudus can also add goals into the Chelsea squad. His work rate off the ball is very good too.
"He may need to improve his decision-making when on the ball. At times, a -and-go can be more effective than trying to beat your man one-on-one.
"Overall, he can add goals to this Chelsea side, has great work rate off the ball, and can contribute to the winning mentality that the Blues have got back into after their Conference League success."
Gunners keen on Chelsea's Kepapublished at 17:19 6 June
17:19 6 June
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal are interested in g goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as they look to bolster their options in the position.
Neto, who was on loan this season at the Emirates from Bournemouth, has returned to the Cherries, and the Gunners are now without an experienced back-up for David Raya.
Chelsea's Kepa spent 2024-25 on loan with Bournemouth and seems to be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have a number of goalkeepers on their books, including Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic and Filip Jorgensen - while they have also signed 19-year-old Mike Penders from Genk.
Raya is the undisputed number one at Arsenal and Kepa would have a tough task to take his compatriot's position.
Kepa made 35 appearances in all competitions last season and kept nine clean sheets.
Sign Maignan or give Petrovic chance as number one?published at 16:00 6 June
16:00 6 June
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on reports linking Chelsea with Mohammed Kudus and Mike Maignan.
Here are some of your comments:
Mike: These would be two wonderful gs in exactly the areas of the pitch needed. Good sides upgrade their teams as they progress and these would be statement gs. Jackson, Kudus, Neto, Delap all stretch sides - even those with a low block - and Palmer will find even more space.
Matthew: While Sanchez had a decent end to the season, a goalkeeper of Maignan's quality should be snapped up! Would be an instant upgrade, and would set us up in that department for years to come! Not really sure Kudus is required, apart from as a back-up to Palmer. But if we sign Maignan, and get Kudus on the cheap with Sanchez going the other way - that would be a great outcome!
Liam: Maignan is a clear upgrade on Sanchez. However, with Petrovic in our roster, having enjoyed a good season at Strasbourg, is Maignan the best use of our money? I would be happy to see Maignan , but wouldn't be devastated if Maresca gave Petrovic a chance. Kudus is promising but not sure he is worth the £85m release clause. Also, are there better targets for the left wing?
Tony: Kudus? Do we need another attacking midfielder? Let's not forget Andrey Santos and Estevao this summer. Maignan, why? Petrovic was the best keeper in Ligue 1 last year, has been playing out from the back and didn't make one error leading to a goal.
Peter: I've ired Kudus for a while, he looks a good technical player, so a part-exchange including Sanchez would a good result for Chelsea.
Are Chelsea changing transfer approach?published at 14:32 6 June
14:32 6 June
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital's takeover of Chelsea in 2022, the club's transfer windows have often felt more focused on gathering some of the best young talent around and less on targeting specific positions for improvement.
When the new ownership first arrived, there was little structure in place at director level. The club have since appointed Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley as co-sporting directors and about 15-20 new personnel in the scouting and analytics departments.
Even with this, many have questioned the £1.5bn 'stockpiling' approach after the Blues ended up with 42 first-team players listed on their website at the beginning of the season and a so-called 'bomb squad' of players that Enzo Maresca deemed not part of his plans.
However, it feels like things could be changing at Chelsea this summer.
Despite securing Champions League football and winning the Conference League, it was still apparent there were areas that needed strengthening.
For all the attacking talent the Blues had brought in, they still lacked an out-and-out number nine.
They have tried to rectify that with the £30m g of Ipswich striker Liam Delap - someone young but, in this case, with Premier League experience.
Another area ers were calling to strengthen was in goal and Chelsea are understood to be in talks with AC Milan over g goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
At 29, he would break the mould of only buying young talent and could bring a more experienced head into the Blues' backline.
When comparing his stats to Chelsea's current first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez since 2021-22 when Maignan ed Milan, he comes out on top in a number of areas.
Having played 12 more games than Sanchez, he understandably has racked up more clean sheets (47 to 30) and saves (310 to 297), however, he does have a higher save percentage (72% to 69%) and has conceded fewer goals (113 to 128).
And, key to what the Blues are looking for, Maignan has fewer errors leading to shots (nine to 20) and errors leading to goals (four to eight).
Image source, Getty Images
