Enzo Maresca offered no assurances over Nicolas Jackson’s long-term future at Chelsea because the striker continues to be linked with an exit.
Jackson scored ten Premier League goals last season under Maresca, but faces added competition this term after the summer signings of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
The Senegalese international only arrived in 2023 for £32m, but Chelsea at the moment are said to be willing to money in on the striker if an appropriate bid is available in.
Newcastle United have been heavily linked with a move for Jackson as they desperately look to sign a striker after missing out on several of their other targets.
Jackson is reportedly keen to remain at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place within the starting XI, but Maresca admitted that every one options are still on the table.
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‘Nico is okay. I believe as I just said, when the transfer window is open – unfortunately, or fortunately – anything can occur,’ Maresca said when asked about speculation linking Jackson with an exit.
‘This also involves Nico’s situation.
‘For the time being we even have had two strikers arrive – Joao and Liam – so we’ll see what happens.’
After a delayed summer break as a consequence of their progress within the Club World Cup, Chelsea only returned for pre-season on Monday, giving them just 13 days to arrange for his or her first Premier League game against Crystal Palace.
The Blues can have just two warm-up friendlies, their first coming against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, but have already got issues to contend with after Levi Colwill picked up an injury of their first session back.
‘We had an issue the last two days with Levi Colwill,’ Maresca confirmed.
‘We don’t understand how long he’s going to be out. Hopefully not too long, but of course it’s an issue for us.
‘It was the primary session on Monday, just within the last moments he felt something but we’d like to attend and we’ll see.’
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