Nicolas Jackson 'Problem' That Might Have Led To Chelsea's Decision Not To Keep Him | OneFootball

Chelsea are holding out for their asking price to sell Nicolas Jackson. Video Credit: Absolute Chelsea

Chelsea have decided to keep Emmanuel Emegha in the squad for the season, which likely pushes Nicolas Jackson closer to a summer exit. But why the former over the latter?

Emegha signed for Chelsea on a pre-agreement in September last year that would see him join the club from Strasbourg this summer.

At the time, it was such exciting news. The then Strasbourg captain had just finished the 2024/25 season with 14 goals and three assists in 27 appearances in French Ligue 1.

Unfortunately, Emegha has struggled with injuries since the agreement with Chelsea.

He missed a total of 33 games for Strasbourg last season, finishing the campaign with just 18 appearances, eight goals and two assists across all competitions.

The Netherlands international also had to miss Chelsea’s pre-season tour in Australia and Asia after sustaining a hamstring injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly in July.

Still, Chelsea plan to keep Emegha, while both Jackson and Liam Delap have been made available in the transfer window.

Delap’s expected departure is quite understandable given his disappointing debut season at Chelsea.

He bagged just two goals and four assists from 41 appearances in all competitions last season.

Jackson, on the other hand, recorded 11 goals and four assists in 34 appearances during his loan spell at Bayern Munich last term, in which he played second fiddle to Harry Kane.

Additionally, unlike Delap and Emegha, Jackson already has a proven record at Chelsea. He racked up 10 goals and five assists in the Premier League for Chelsea in 2024/25.

While there is an argument that Jackson offers more to Chelsea than Emegha does, that may not matter as much as team harmony.

Joao Pedro is the clear first-choice number nine in this team, so what Chelsea need is backup strikers. This is the role that Danny Welbeck and Emegha are expected to play in the squad.

Speaking to London Is Blue Podcast, Matt Law claimed that there is an “acceptance” around the club and Jackson’s camp that him being a squad player “does not seem a great fit”.

Back in June, The Athletic’s Liam Twomey also questioned whether Jackson would “buy into his role” at Chelsea when the striker was expected to return to London after his loan spell at Bayern Munich.

Twomey argued that a big part of the loss of trust between Jackson and former head coach Enzo Maresca last summer was his negative reactions to Joao Pedro and Delap’s arrivals.

Understandably, Jackson may feel that he has the quality to be a starting striker, and he would be for many clubs, but this is not the case at Chelsea with Joao Pedro’s hot form.

Jackson’s marketability may have played a part in Chelsea’s decision, too.

Matt Law mentioned that Jackson has attracted significant interest, including from Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Newcastle United. Chelsea are also expected to be able to fetch a fee close to the £65 million they are demanding for the striker.