‘Complicated’ – Chelsea handed Nicolas Jackson verdict amid Aston Villa interest
Chelsea have been warned that they could find it difficult to sell Nicolas Jackson because they don’t want to offload him for a cheap price.
Jackson has become surplus to requirements in Enzo Maresca‘s pecking order after Chelsea signed Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
The Senegal international notched 10 goals in the Premier League last season, but has not featured for the Blues since their Club World Cup semi-final win over Fluminense.
Football Insider have exclusively revealed that Jackson has told his friends he wants to join Aston Villa this summer.
Chelsea warned selling Nicolas Jackson for cheap is complicated
With Jackson set to leave West London this summer, West Ham are in talks to sign fellow Chelsea star Raheem Sterling.
Meanwhile, when asked about the striker’s future on Football London‘s live Chelsea blog [21 August], Bobby Vincent said: “Jackson has interest from everywhere it seems but Chelsea will not sell for cheap, so a deal there is complicated.”
Alongside their transfer business, the Stamford Bridge club are preparing for their London derby with West Ham on Friday, 22 Aug, after being held to a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener.
Enzo Maresca must sanction Nicolas Jackson’s exit before the transfer window closes
Football Insider verdict
Maresca has successfully utilised the summer transfer window to acquire talented players, including the forward duo Pedro and Delap, former Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, and Brazilian starlet Estevao.
| Nicolas Jackson stats | Premier League 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 30 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 5 |
Delap’s efforts for Ipswich Town last season, despite the Tractor Boys’ relegation from the Premier League, suggest that he could be a real asset for Chelsea this term.
Meanwhile, Pedro was a consistent performer for Brighton, who already helped Maresca’s men clinch Club World Cup glory this summer, scoring in the comprehensive final win over PSG.
However, to get the best out of both strikers, Chelsea must ensure that Jackson’s exit is completed before the transfer window shuts.
Retaining the former Villarreal striker, even though he is surplus to requirements, would be damaging for team morale, especially for the players in his position.
Chelsea must complete his sale this summer, while Jackson could be an asset for Aston Villa both in the Premier League and the Europa League.