Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has left Nicolas Jackson out of his squad for the Premier League trip to West Ham on Friday but says he does not know whether the striker will leave before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
Senegal international Jackson was suspended for the Blues’ opening 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday and will not return at the London Stadium, with Newcastle, Aston Villa and Arsenal favourites to sign the 24-year-old.
“He is available but he is not going to be part of the squad because we have two strikers in his position and we know that something can happen before the transfer window closes,” said Maresca, who signed Ipswich Town top scorer Liam Delap for £30 million in June and Brazil forward Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion for £60m in July.
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Nicolas Jackson transfer
When Maresca was asked for specific details about Jackson’s future, the Italian said he has “no idea”.
“I prefer to be focused on training sessions, preparing for the game and these kinds of things,” added Maresca, who said out-of-favour Christopher Nkunku is still training with the squad but fellow forward Raheem Sterling and full-back Ben Chilwell are not.
Maresca would not discuss whether the players would be reintegrated if they do not leave before the end of the transfer window and said 20-year-old defender Aaron Anselmino also needs to find a new club.
“We still have two weeks,” observed Maresca. “But it’s not ideal because it’s difficult to plan.
“If they’re going to be here, they’ll be here with us. It’s always better if they can find a solution because they’ll be more happy and so will the club.”
Nicolas Jackson stats
Jackson contributed 17 goals and six assists in all club competitions in 2023/24, describing the total as “okay” after joining from Villarreal for £31.8m in June 2023.
He scored 14 times and provided five assists in the Premier League in his first top-flight campaign, starting 39 of Chelsea’s 44 matches in all competitions.
His most memorable performance came in a 4-1 win at Tottenham in November, scoring Chelsea’s final three goals between the 75th and 97th minutes after his side had fallen behind early on.
A total of 13 goals and six assists in 34 games followed last season, although he missed his side’s last two games after being sent off at Newcastle on May 11.
Nicolas Jackson salary, wages
The 23-year-old is likely to have negotiated a pay rise as part of a new deal he signed until 2033 last September following a bright start to the season including two goals and an assist in two league games.
His previous salary was around £3.4m basic, according to Spotrac, which the site says would put him among Chelsea’s lowest earners, at around £65,000 per week.
At the time, Jackson called Maresca an “amazing coach and person” who is “more or less like a father”.
