Chelsea face a major decision over the future of winger Jamie Gittens, who continues to be courted by Italian giants AS Roma.

The England youth international has endured a difficult 18 months at Stamford Bridge. Gittens struggled for form and fitness in his first season at Chelsea, and he faces similar issues again this term.

The 22-year-old started the season as a benchwarmer under new manager Xabi Alonso. Gittens was an unused substitute in each of Chelsea's first five Premier League fixtures and only featured in the Carabao Cup, where he struggled to have much of an impact.

He was part of the crazy game against Leeds, which ultimately finished 6-3 in Chelsea's favour. Tellingly, the West London side scored all of their goals after the winger was hauled off by Alonso at half-time. He hasn't been seen since.

Gittens suffered an ankle injury in September and has yet to recover. It is perhaps fair to assume that his season might already be over in a way. Given his underwhelming performances previously, he will struggle to fight his way back into the Chelsea team after his lengthy lay-off.

Gittens needs a transfer

The only way to salvage what is shaping up to be another disastrous campaign might be to leave Chelsea in January in hopes of getting regular minutes elsewhere. He still has admirers despite his struggles.

It recently emerged that Napoli have joined the race for the 22-year-old and begun exploring the conditions of a possible deal. AS Roma, however, appear to be the most determined of his suitors.

The capital outfit already attempted to bring the winger to Rome in the summer, but a lengthy saga yielded no results. At the time, it was reported that Chelsea had little interest in allowing Gittens to leave.

Gazzetta dello Sport provides a different perspective now. It claims that Chelsea would have been prepared to loan Gittens to Roma if the Serie A side had agreed to sell them Manu Kone for €60 million.

The Giallorossi's hierarchy considered it but ultimately got cold feet and pulled out because they did not think that there was enough time left in the transfer window to source an adequate replacement for their star midfielder.

Ultimately, no new winger arrived, much to the frustration of manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The Italian publication points out that the experienced coach has now been asking for a right-footed left-winger for the better part of 18 months.

Rectifying that situation is the club's January priority, hence the renewed interest in Gittens, who is said to be "deeply unhappy" with how his season has played out to date. The outlet comes to the conclusion that it would be better for him "to play elsewhere."

Roma are considering him in a "significant way" and are hopeful that Chelsea will sanction a loan deal, potentially with a permanent element. However, it is acknowledged that senior figures at Stamford Bridge have not yet given up on Gittens.

There is still hope that the winger can come good in West London - after all, Chelsea paid a sizeable €56 million for him. Whether that is possible in the current circumstances and with the level of competition currently at the club is doubtful, however.

Gittens would be well-advised to consider a transfer. Negotiations, it is claimed, could "resume at any moment."