In the fourth round of this season's EFL Cup, Chelsea secured a 4-3 away victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Gittens, who contributed two assists and a goal in the match, was interviewed by Chelsea FC following the fixture.
Congratulations. Not only did you perform brilliantly today, but you also scored your first goal for Chelsea. How did that moment feel?
It was very special. To score my first goal for Chelsea, coupled with winning the match and progressing to the next round, felt even better. Honestly, I was happier about the team advancing smoothly than just scoring the goal itself.
Tell us about that goal – it looked absolutely brilliant.
I was pretty knackered at the time, so I just thought I'd have a go. The ball hit the post and went in. Simple as that.
The celebration afterwards was pretty emotional too, given it was your first goal for Chelsea.
Yeah, it was very emotional. I'd been wanting to score for ages but it just hadn't happened. Now it finally has, thank God. Hopefully it's just the start and I can get more.
Did your teammates help you settle into the team?
Yes, they've been a huge help. They often speak to me one-on-one, telling me what to do and what not to do; they constantly encourage me on the pitch and look out for me. The whole team has been incredibly supportive.
You started brilliantly today too, setting up both opening goals. Is it a pleasure playing alongside these teammates?
Absolutely. I thoroughly enjoy playing with them. They're all talented, possess great footballing intelligence, and understand what needs doing on the pitch. It's an honour to partner with them.
Did the manager have any specific instructions for you today?
He asked me to be creative, to sometimes keep things simple rather than always going down the wing for one-on-ones. He wants me to create danger on the pitch – that's what he demands.
How has your learning and development been at Chelsea? Especially with the Tottenham match approaching.
It feels great. Everyone trains incredibly hard and the competition is fierce. That atmosphere carries over into matches, driving us to give our absolute all to win every game.
The Chelsea supporters were incredibly vocal today. What's it like playing in front of them?
Absolutely fantastic. They backed us throughout the entire match, cheering us on and giving us that extra drive and fighting spirit. We really owe them a huge debt of gratitude.