Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Nicolas Jackson is available for selection but will not travel for Friday’s Premier League trip to West Ham, as speculation mounts around his imminent departure from Stamford Bridge. The decision signals that Jackson—valued at around £60 million—is unlikely to feature again before the transfer window closes.
Jackson, 24, is reportedly keen to secure a move this summer, with both Newcastle United and Aston Villa already linked to the Senegalese striker. With Chelsea having recently invested around £90 million to bolster their strike force—bringing in João Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich Town—the club appears ready to sanction his exit.
When pressed on whether Jackson would make the squad for the London derby, Maresca offered a tactful response: “He is available but he is not going to be part of the squad because as we already said, we have two strikers. Two players in that position—and also we know that something can happen before the transfer window closes.”
With plans well underway for Jackson’s departure, the decision makes strategic sense. Pedro and Delap are expected to lead the line against West Ham, while Maresca continues to manage squad depth and morale amid transfer uncertainty.
Villa are reportedly in the early stages of negotiations for Jackson, though no concrete offer has been made public. Sources suggest Chelsea would be open to structuring a deal if the terms align—particularly if reinvestment in the squad can be secured.
Fans have had mixed reactions: some believe Jackson deserves more playing time to boost his market value, while others see the move as inevitable given the club’s aims and the arrival of new strikers. The next 48 hours will be key as the transfer window intensifies and clarity over Jackson’s future is urgently needed.
Chelsea’s match against West Ham looms large—not just on the field but in boardrooms too. As negotiations unfold, attention will focus on whether Jackson’s exclusion is a tactical move or the final curtain on his Anfield era.
