Chelsea have brought in multiple promising youngsters over the last few years to build for the future. Many of them have gone on to become established players in the first-team. The likes of Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and a few others have to be considered good signings. However, there are also some who have failed to make a mark and have struggled to develop further.
Given this season’s performance, Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson can certainly be put in the latter category. The Senegalese forward, who joined the Blues from Villarreal in 2023, is having a season to forget.
Jackson has scored just 12 goals in 33 matches across all competitions this season so far. It seems like he has taken a step back since his debut campaign, when he scored 17 times, instead of improving.
Jackson’s recent performances have set alarm bells ringing at Chelsea regarding his future as the club’s primary striker. His latest poor display against Newcastle United highlighted his lack of composure once again. The forward made an unnecessary challenge and received a red card, leaving his team a man down and in a world of trouble. The Blues lost 2-0.
Nicolas Jackson handed bad news about Chelsea future
Now reports have suggested Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is also beginning to question Jackson’s capabilities. All of this comes amid rumours that he a summer exit has not been ruled out.
Chelsea are still sitting in fifth position and are close to qualifying for the Champions League next season. Nicolas Jackson, who interestingly has never appeared in the Champions League before, isn’t showing any reason to believe that he can be relied upon as the main striker for the Blues in crucial matches against strong European clubs. Maresca is also echoing this belief that Jackson just isn’t cut out for Champions League football.
Journalist Simon Phillips recently spoke on Si Phillips Talks Chelsea where he discussed Chelsea and Maresca’s perception on Jackson. Phillips said:
"Jackson is appreciated by Chelsea for sure, but we have heard the reality is that the club, as well as Enzo Maresca, just do not see him as being the main striker to lead the club into the Champions League and elevate them, if they get it of course."
Things aren’t looking bright for Jackson at the moment and this might well be his last season at Chelsea, at the very least as the first-choice number 9. Players like Victor Osimhen, Liam Delap, and Emanuel Emegha are already being linked to the club as potential replacements.
There is no question about Jackson's talent. There are a lot of things that he does very well. But at the end of the day, strikers are always going to be measured by goals, and right now, he simply is not scoring enough.