Nicolas Jackson has been deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea by Enzo Maresca, but Premier League pundit Paul Merson believes the Blues boss is making a mistake letting the striker go
Enzo Maresca has been told his openness to letting Nicolas Jackson go is a mistake, with the Chelsea boss warned the striker can come back to haunt him. Jackson has been put up for sale this summer following the acquisitions of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, who’ve leapfrogged the Senegal international in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
Despite Maresca initially admitting Chelsea’s transfer plans in attack were set to provide the striker with more competition, the Italian has since changed his mind by informing Jackson he no longer has a future in west London.
Having scored 30 goals in 81 appearances across all competitions in his two years at Chelsea, Jackson – who is reportedly valued at £65million – is not short of suitors, with Aston Villa and Newcastle said to be interested in him.
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While he’s not blossomed into a striker that Chelsea fans can pin their hopes on leading them to a first Premier League title since the 2016/17 season, Jackson has hit double figures in his first two seasons in England. His contract also incredibly runs until 2033, after it was extended last September.
Still just 24 years of age, Jackson does have a fan in Paul Merson, who believes his attributes of pace and movement would work well at St. James’ Park. “I like him,” the Arsenal legend said on Sky Sports.
“He’s a bit messy and sometimes he’ll go through and his touch will be poor, but I’d love to play with him. The position I used to play, I love players like that who want to run that way [forwards]. They open the game up. If he can get to Aston Villa or a Newcastle, I’d buy him all day long. I would buy him.
“Newcastle have got a lot of pace and then you can get Bruno [Guimaraes] and [Sandro] Tonali, people like that, on the ball. He’s willing, I like him Even though he’s a little bit messy.”
Merson – who is a life-long Chelsea supporter – believes Jackson’s persistence makes him a difficult opponent for many defenders and admitted his shock with Maresca for being so willing to part ways with the striker.
“He needs a little bit more coaching, but he’s got the potential… I don’t think there would be too many centre-backs going, ‘That was easy’, because he gives you a hard time and he’s always willing to run,” the ex-England star added.
“I’m pretty shocked with Chelsea. I thought he made Palmer and Palmer made Jackson, I thought they worked as a real pair and stretched the game and it got Palmer on the ball and let him do his stuff.
“I know we’re only one game in but, all of a sudden, Palmer’s going further and further back to get the ball and you don’t want him there. You want him around the box where he can weave his magic because he has the X-factor.
“I don’t think this is a great move for Chelsea at all. I think so [they’re making a mistake]. In my opinion, I think Jackson could come back to haunt them, that could be a worry for me.
“If he went to a Newcastle or a Villa, I think he could come back and haunt Chelsea by scoring a few goals because, as I say, he’s willing to run and playing where I played as a No. 10 or in midfield, I’d have loved to have played with Jackson.”
Jackson has been left out of the matchday squad for Chelsea’s opening two league fixtures, and with less than 10 days to go in the window, his future will have to be confirmed sooner rather than later.
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