Chelsea were riding the crest of a wave at the beginning of Enzo Maresca’s tenure – but the trials and tribulations of the season have since affected this talented squad.
Seventh in the Premier League, the Blues have been beset by a deluge of injury issues over the past month that has limited Maresca’s options considerably, especially at the front of the ship.
There’s plenty of promise about this Stamford Bridge side, however, in spite of the money spent over the past several years, Todd Boehly and Co are still met with the need to sign some top-class talent across a range of areas.
Where Chelsea need to strengthen in the summer
Chelsea’s head coach confirmed in the wake of his side’s Premier League defeat at Villa Park on Saturday evening that Filip Jorgensen remains ahead of Robert Sanchez in the pecking order between the sticks – des[ite spilling Marco Asensio’s late effort to condemn the Londoners to defeat.
With Sanchez also flattering to deceive, it’s possible that bringing a new shot-stopper to the Bridge will be a chief priority for the Chelsea transfer team, though the need for reinforcements stretches into other areas.
Indeed, the Blues may need to dip back into the defensive market with Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile struggling for fitness and Levi Colwill struggling for form.
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are tussling with Arsenal and Bayern Munich for Sporting Lisbon centre-half Ousmane Diomande, regarded as one of the most exciting young defenders in the business.
There’s also the matter of the frontline. With Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu (who is only 18) both sidelined for the foreseeable, Chelsea may need to sign a new striker this summer.
However, any move they make must not jeopardise Jackson’s place in the team. He’s made progress this term, and could yet reach the height of his lofty potential.
Why Chelsea signed Nicolas Jackson
Jackson is currently out of action with a muscular injury and is reportedly not expected back on the grass until after the March international break.
However, he’s made considerable progress during his time at Stamford Bridge so far and may well find that his brightest days in Chelsea colours lay ahead of him.
In July 2023, Chelsea welcomed Jackson to the Premier League from Villarreal after activating his £32m release clause. The Senegal international joined the cause on an eight-year contract and has ebbed and flowed over almost two years in the English capital.
With 23 goals and ten assists across 58 appearances in the Premier League, Jackson has left something to be desired but has still proven himself through an athletic and powerful style and discernible improvements in front of goal.
The 23-year-old arrived for a sizeable figure but he’s already skyrocketed in market value. It’s early days yet, but Chelsea might just have hit the jackpot with this dynamic centre-forward.
Market Movers
Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?
What Nicolas Jackson is valued at in 2025
Jackson started his second campaign in Chelsea colours with a bang – but the forward did spin out of form across the winter period, going eight matches without a goal in the Premier League before picking up a hamstring injury.
However, there are still promising signs in regard to his clinical edge, missing fewer big chances this term while increasing his shots-per-game average.
Matches (starts)
35 (31)
23 (22)
Goals
14
9
Assists
5
5
Shots (on target)*
2.3 (1.2)
2.7 (1.3)
Big chances missed
24
15
Pass completion
78%
76%
Big chances created
8
6
Dribble (success)*
1.5 (59%)
0.7 (40%)
Total duels (won)*
4.3 (42%)
3.0 (39%)
For sure, Jackson could be more clinical in front of goal, but he’s made headway, no doubt. In fact, he’s made so much progress that CIES Football Observatory – the world leader in the scientific evaluation of player values – have recorded Jackson to have a current market value of £87m, which equates to a 171% uptick.
More curiously, this is higher than FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, who joined the Portuguese giants from Atletico Madrid last summer in a deal worth just £13m.
Sorry for the reminder. But given that Chelsea had a €40m (£34m) deal in place just weeks earlier, it stings a little for those of a Blues persuasion, not least because the robust striker has hit the ground running and then some at his new outfit. In short, he’d be perfect in Maresca’s side.
The 20-year-old has scored 19 goals from 30 matches this season – including a brace against Manchester United in the Europa League – with talent scout Jacek Kulig claiming that he’s “on the path to achieving something special at Porto.”
Well, journalist Rahman Osman has also hailed Jackson as a “truly special” talent, for the striker ranks among the top 13% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 12% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, perfectly illustrating his energetic threat.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
This multifacetedness bespeaks Jackson’s quality. CIES, after all, records that Samu has seen his stock to a whopping £60m. This is impressive, but he’s not on Jackson’s level.
With Nkunku’s long-term future perhaps away from west London, it feels likely that BlueCo will green-light a summer transfer plan for a new number nine.
However, in Jackson, Maresca has one of the most talented young strikers in Europe. Chelsea must be careful not to welcome someone to the detriment of the Senegalese’s continual development.
In any case, Chelsea are looking to enter a higher phase of European competition next season and Jackson might benefit from the competition with another talented striker.
If he uses such an eventuality to spur on and continue to make gains, he might just prove to hit that lofty potential that convinced Chelsea to make their move for a decent fee back in 2023.
Nkunku & Jackson upgrade: Chelsea may rue selling Eghbali's world-class CF
As Chelsea struggles in front of goal continue, do the Blues regret selling a “world-class” striker currently outperforming Christopher Nkunku?
ByBen GrayFeb 23, 2025
