Exclusive: Chelsea make Nicolas Jackson transfer decision
Chelsea are planning for Nicolas Jackson to remain at Stamford Bridge, sources have told Football Insider.
Enzo Maresca wants to keep the Senegal international at the club, despite the recent additions of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
Jackson, 24, has seen his future at the Blues come into question as a result of the incomings, as well as his failure to realise his potential during his time in West London.
The forward has scored 24 Premier League goals across his two campaigns at Chelsea but has also repeatedly spurned chances in front of goal.
Maresca faces striker dilemma
After bringing in Delap from Ipswich for £30million, and Pedro from Brighton for up to £60m, Maresca now has three strikers who will all expect to start.
Christopher Nkunku is set to depart Chelsea this summer, but that still leaves Jackson fighting with the two new signings for just one striker position in the lineup.
During the Club World Cup, Delap has been the main centre-forward, and during the Blues’ quarter-final against Palmeiras, Maresca opted to substitute the former Ipswich man for Pedro rather than Jackson.
However, this is not an unfamiliar task for the Italian manager, who has grown used to dealing with a sizeable squad during his time in charge at Stamford Bridge.
‘Noni Madueke to join Arsenal’
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly set to step up their efforts to sign Chelsea star Noni Madueke in the coming days with a formal offer lined up behind the scenes.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the Blues are prepared to let the 23-year-old join their London rivals.
This comes after the Gunners agreed personal terms with Madueke while Mikel Arteta has laid out plans for the winger’s role in his squad.
Football Insider revealed in April that Enzo Maresca has concerns about Madueke’s attitude and whether he fits in with his plans for the future.
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