Why Chelsea could "consider selling" Nicolas Jackson this summer, according to The Telegraph's Matt Law
- Barnaby Lane
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Nicolas Jackson has been one of Chelsea's standout performers since joining the club from Villarreal in the summer of 2023.
Although he's scored 26 goals in 68 appearances across all competitions, the Senegalese star has impressed with his work rate and link-up play – particularly with Cole Palmer, with whom he has developed a strong partnership at Stamford Bridge.
However, with fellow forward Christopher Nkunku underperforming and young talent Marc Guiu still too inexperienced to lead the line in the Premier League, it’s thought Chelsea may be in the market for a new striker this summer.
It remains unclear whether this new striker would be a backup to Jackson or a partner in attack. Among the players being linked to a move to West London are Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.
If Chelsea does indeed pursue a new striker, The Telegraph’s Matt Law has suggested that Jackson’s time at Stamford Bridge could come to an end.
Speaking on the London is Blue podcast, Law said: “I’m guessing here, but I can see a scenario where they sell Nico this summer. It’s a guess, but depending on what they do with a striker coming in, I don’t see a scenario where Nico moves to the left and that becomes his position.”
“I don’t think Nico would particularly accept that. I can see a scenario where if someone came in with a good bid for Nico, they would consider selling him. That is a guess, that is my opinion.”
If Jackson were to leave Chelsea, it’s believed there would be no shortage of suitors.
Atletico Madrid, for example, has been linked with a move, with The Sun reporting in February that the Spanish giants were planning a summer bid for the former Villarreal star, while a number of Premier League clubs are also thought to be keeping tabs on his situation.
Nicolas Jackson will stay at Stamford Bridge
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Despite widespread reports, including those from Fabrizio Romano, that Chelsea will sign a big-name striker this summer, it’s more likely that the Blues will opt for a young talent rather than an established superstar.
Among the young stars rumoured to be heading to Stamford Bridge are Villarreal's Thierno Barry, 22, and Emmanuel Emegha, also 22, who has been impressing while playing for Chelsea’s sister club, RC Strasbourg, this season.
This strategy would not only align with the club's recent transfer policy under Todd Boehly, but also seems to match head coach Enzo Maresca's own thoughts on Nicolas Jackson. The Italian appears content with having the Senegal international as his primary striker.
“We are completely happy with Nico,” Maresca said of the striker back in January.
Moreover, in February, shortly after the Blues had lost Jackson to injury and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton & Hove Albion in his absence, Maresca spoke about Jackson’s importance: “Sometimes I think you need to play some games without players to realise how important they are.”
Given Maresca's comments, we fully expect Jackson to be leading the line again for Chelsea next term, though he may just have a little more competition than he has this year.