Chelsea urged to end transfer pursuit

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 Sept 2024 14:00 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea have been told to abandon their pursuit of a new number nine if Nicolas Jackson continues to maintain his current form.

The Senegal international scored a brace and provided an assist during the Blues’ 3-0 win over West Ham United on Saturday and Troy Deeney believes he is good to lead the line for Enzo Maresca’s side.

The former Watford striker told his BBC Sport column: “This weekend is all about Jackson.

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"Two great goals and an assist, all done before he was given a rest after 60 minutes. It was a fine day at the office for him.

“I'm quite critical of how many chances he misses for Chelsea and, if he wants to be the main man moving forward, he has to have more games like this. He grabbed hold of it, offered a threat in behind and scored goals.

“Chelsea don't need to buy another striker if he stays in this kind of form.”

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Jackson now has four goals and two assists in five Premier League games so far this season, with Luis Diaz (five) and Erling Haaland (10) the only players with more goals than Chelsea’s number 15.

Victor Osimhen to Chelsea off?

The Blues were actively pursuing a move for Nigeria international Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window, but they were unable to finalise a deal with Napoli.

Instead, Osimhen eventually joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan, although reports have suggested that his contract with the Turkish giants includes a January break clause.

Current ETV

Nicolas Jackson

F (C)

Chelsea

Nicolas Jackson

F (C)

Chelsea

€46.9M

ETV Range

€35.2M - €58.6M

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As a result, Chelsea remain heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old, with former Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel also hopeful that an agreement will be reached next year.

However, Jackson’s form, and the presence of both Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu, may mean Chelsea end their interest in Osimhen and focus on strengthening other areas of the pitch.