Why Chelsea Must Keep Nicolas Jackson As Xabi Alonso’s Transfer Decision Looms | OneFootball

Nicolas Jackson impressed during Chelsea's 3-0 win over AC Milan in pre-season. Video Credit: Absolute Chelsea

Nicolas Jackson may have one foot out the door at Stamford Bridge, but the Senegalese international is staking his claim to remain firmly within new manager Xabi Alonso’s plans.

Amid reported interest from Aston Villa, Jackson’s time at Chelsea should be far from over. Especially when compared with the alternative options in attack, the 25-year-old still offers a profile that could prove valuable to Alonso.

"Nico is a great player, a threat against any defence, so we want players that can compete," Alonso admitted on Jackson earlier this week.

“Nico, for sure, is one of them. We need to go day-by-day checking options, but we are happy Nico is with us."

Chelsea breezed past AC Milan on Saturday evening, with goals from Joao Pedro (2) and Moises Caicedo securing victory. Yet despite playing only around 30 minutes, Jackson arguably laid down the biggest transfer dilemma of the tour.

With Liam Delap an unused substitute and new striker Emmanuel Emegha still recovering from an injury picked up in training before the tour, Jackson has taken his opportunity to demonstrate why he deserves to remain part of Alonso’s squad next season.

A popular figure within the dressing room, Jackson also has an established understanding with players such as Cole Palmer, with the likes of Enzo Fernandez still to return. That familiarity, combined with his pace and unpredictability, could make him a valuable asset as Chelsea look to secure a return to the Champions League as quickly as possible.

Alonso is set to see at least two strikers leave this summer, with Joao Pedro and new arrival Danny Welbeck certainties to remain. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

In just 30 minutes against AC Milan, Jackson showed why he remains such a difficult player for defenders to handle. A sharp turn on the halfway line and his ability to exploit space in behind a tiring defence highlighted the unpredictability he can bring to the Blues’ attack, something Delap has struggled to consistently demonstrate during his time at Stamford Bridge.

The statistics also support Jackson’s impact. He created one big chance, registered two key passes, completed both of his attempted dribbles and finished with a 100 per cent pass-completion rate. While those numbers came from a limited time on the pitch, they underline the qualities Jackson can still offer.

Emegha, who joined from Strasbourg a year ago, perhaps has the biggest question mark surrounding his immediate future, through no fault of his own. Chelsea supporters have yet to see him play competitively for the club, and with Jackson already available and familiar with the demands of the Premier League and English football as a whole, choosing an unproven alternative could represent an unnecessary risk.

With a final decision on Jackson’s future looming, Alonso and the hierarchy have a major call to make. Take the money and strengthen a rival? Or try to maintain a degree of stability by keeping an asset?