‘Nicolas Jackson faces Chelsea exit as Ekitike update emerges after Delap deal’
Nicolas Jackson’s future at Chelsea is in the balance after Liam Delap agreed to join the club, with further striking reinforcements on the card this summer.
The Senegalese striker started the season in blistering form, racking up six goals in his first nine Premier League games.
But after netting three more times in 2024, Jackson scored just one goal in the league in 2025, a match-winning strike against Everton.
The former Villareal forward’s goal-scoring issues, combined with Christopher Nkunku’s struggles at Chelsea, pushed the club into prioritising a new striker this summer.
The first of transfer windows has now opened ahead of the Club World Cup, and Enzo Maresca’s side have been stealing a march on their rivals.
Chelsea reached an agreement with Delap [The Athletic] on personal terms two days after meeting his release clause at current club Ipswich.
However, the West London club’s striker transfer business may not be limited to just bringing in the England Under-21 international, The Guardian reports.
Chelsea ‘like’ Hugo Ekitike as Nicolas Jackson future in doubt
As reported, it is as yet unclear if the arrival of Delap will be followed by the addition of another striker to Enzo Maresca’s squad but the Blues appear to be on the look out for an opportunity to do so.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ekitike is a player Chelsea “like” but the West Londoners see him as “too expensive” at £84million.
But if the Blues do press ahead and look to secure another striker, Jackson’s future at the club will be “up in the air” at Stamford Bridge, according to Jacob Steinberg.
Chelsea is the perfect landing spot for Liam Delap
Football Insider Verdict
There has been plenty of talk regarding Delap’s future and where he should go, with some, including former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino, suggesting the forward should join a slightly smaller club like Everton.
But it is clear that the soon-to-be Blue is making the right choice by favouring a move to London over the blue half of Liverpool.
Delap is the perfect striker for Chelsea, his playstyle is similar to Jackson’s, but he is more efficient in front of goal.
With Cole Palmer feeding him, the 22-year-old not only has the chance to compete for the Premier League’s golden boot, but he will be able to make a much stronger case to be a part of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
The German manager has shown a preference for picking players at bigger clubs, as seen by Jarrad Branthwaite’s omission from the England squad.