Chelsea Manager Updates on Player Status
Following recent developments at Chelsea, manager Enzo Maresca announced that Nicolas Jackson will not participate in the upcoming match against West Ham United on Friday. This absence comes as Jackson is reportedly considering a departure from the club, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United expressing interest in the 24-year-old forward.
Chelsea seems willing to let Jackson go, especially after acquiring João Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich Town for a significant total of £90 million ($121 million).
Transfer Rumors and Player Availability
Rumors suggest that Jackson’s price tag is around £60 million. Sources indicate that Aston Villa is in the preliminary stages of assessing the possibility of securing a deal, particularly in light of concerns about adherence to the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.
When asked about Jackson’s status for the West Ham match, Maresca acknowledged that while he is technically available, he will not be included in the squad due to an existing depth of two strikers already in the lineup. He hinted at the potential for movement in the final days of the transfer window, stating, “something can happen.” However, Maresca admitted uncertainty about any imminent deals.
Similarly, he remarked on Christopher Nkunku‘s situation, who is reportedly attracting attention from Bayern Munich, noting that both Nkunku and Jackson are participating fully in training sessions. In a contrasting situation, players Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling are training separately as they seek new opportunities after challenging loan spells last season—with Chilwell at Crystal Palace and Sterling at Arsenal.
Concerns About Player Welfare
Additionally, Maresca addressed concerns about Wesley Fofana‘s future, especially after the defender removed all Chelsea-related content from his Instagram account. After recovering from hamstring surgery and returning to training, Maresca confirmed Fofana’s happiness within the squad, suggesting that the social media activity should not be misinterpreted.
“I speak with Wes daily and he’s very happy to be back,” Maresca said. “He’ll be joining us fully, possibly seeing minutes in upcoming games.” Regarding the backlash he faced for his social media actions, Maresca emphasized the negative impact of online abuse, stating that such behavior is unhealthy for players, people, and society at large.
Meanwhile, injuries continue to sideline teammates Romeo Lavia and Benoît Badiashile as Chelsea prepares for the upcoming match.
