How Enzo Maresca Can Tactically Adapt to Nicolas Jackson’s Injury

Matt Law recently reported in The Telegraph that Nicolas Jackson will be sidelined due to an injury until April. Additionally, Marc Guiu will also be unavailable due to an injury that will keep him out for weeks. This leaves Chelsea in a situation where they do not have a recognized striker available. Given the current injury crisis, what can Enzo Maresca do tactically to ensure that Chelsea can still secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League? This article will explore potential solutions.

The Immediate Problem

The news of Jackson’s injury is undoubtedly a significant blow. He was Chelsea’s only senior striker, with Guiu only being a secondary option who was not expected to feature regularly. With both now injured, Maresca is left with a major dilemma.

We have already seen the issues of playing Christopher Nkunku as a striker. In a recent episode of The Chelsea Blueprint, this topic was explored in depth. The problem is not with Nkunku himself, but rather that he is not a traditional number nine.

One way to mitigate this is by ensuring that the players around Nkunku adjust their roles accordingly. They need to understand how their movement should change to accommodate him. Whether this means rotating positions with Nkunku or attacking the spaces he vacates, these adjustments will be crucial. Against Brighton and Hove Albion last Saturday, Chelsea were too static, and that must change if Maresca decides to persist with a similar tactical approach.