Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Chelsea should keep Nicolas Jackson despite the striker edging closer to a giant money transfer.
After several weeks holiday following their Club World Cup triumph, Chelsea play their first of two pre-season friendlies on Friday night – just every week before the beginning of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The Blues tackle Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan this weekend, before hosting Crystal Palace of their opening game of the brand new season on August 17.
You possibly can follow all of the motion from Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen on the Metro’s dedicated live blog.
Enzo Maresca’s starting XI for the friendly against Leverkusen included recent signings Liam Delap and Estevao, the forwards making their first appearances for the club at Stamford Bridge.
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Fellow summer arrivals Jorrel Hato, Dario Essugo, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro were all named on the bench.
But there have been two notable absentees from the matchday squad, with Jackson and Christopher Nkunku nowhere to be seen amid increasing speculation they might leave west London.
Despite each featuring on the Club World Cup, the centre-forwards’ futures on the club have been unsure following the arrival of Delap and Pedro.
Jackson was willing to fight for his place, the Every day Mail now report that he has handed in a transfer request and Chelsea are in talks to sell him – provided someone meets their £80million valuation – with Newcastle and Tottenham among the many clubs interested.
But speaking ahead of the Leverkusen game, former Blues striker Hasselbaink says he would love to see the Senegalese stay at Stamford Bridge.
‘I’ve at all times said that I actually like him [Jackson], he brings something different,’ the previous Dutch international told Channel 5.
‘Yes, they’ve bought in two strikers. But I believe a giant club like Chelsea needs several strikers on the books. He’s not going to play as much as last 12 months, but I still think which you can use him.
‘But obviously his value has gone up since they’ve bought it because he’s done extremely well. So if it is sensible for the club to sell them, they’ll.’
As for Nkunku, Hasselbaink conceded his time is up, adding: ‘He’s going to wish to play. He’s got [Cole] Palmer in front of him in his position, so it’s going to be difficult for him.
‘I believe he’s a player that that wishes to play. So he’s going to should look someplace else.’
Asked if Jackson and Nkunku’s absence against Leverkusen was transfer-related, Maresca simply said: ‘Each are Chelsea players and we are going to see what’s going to occur.’
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