Chelsea Rethink Transfer Strategy: Nicolas Jackson’s Stats Changes Striker Choice Ahead of Summer Window
Blues now targeting young talents to support Jackson instead of chasing big-money elite strikers ahead of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea have been searching for a top striker for a long time — but now, things seem to be changing.
Many fans expected the club to go after a big-name striker in the summer transfer window. Chelsea were linked with players like Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyökeres, and trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano even said the club was ready to spend “important money.”
But a new update from Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas shows that Chelsea may now have a different plan. Instead of buying a top striker for a huge fee, the club might go for a younger player who can support and compete with current forward Nicolas Jackson.
“Chelsea have been pleased with the progress of Nicolas Jackson this season and now appear to be targeting a younger deputy for competition, rather than spending big on a new elite first-choice striker,” Thomas wrote.
Nicolas Jackson joined Chelsea from Villarreal last summer for around £32 million. At first, he had some tough games and struggled with consistency. But over time, he has improved a lot under coach Enzo Maresca.
Jackson has scored 9 goals and 5 assists in the Premier League this season, and he’s becoming a more confident and complete striker. His hard work, fast movement, and better finishing have made the club believe he can be their long-term striker.
Because of that, Chelsea no longer feel they must sign a world-class striker. Instead, they want to bring in a young attacker who can help Jackson, learn from him, and give the team another good option up front.
Instead of paying huge fees for stars like Osimhen, who is also wanted by Manchester United and Arsenal, Chelsea are now looking at younger talents who cost less and have room to grow.
Some of the names being looked at are Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig), Liam Delap (on loan at Hull City from Man City), and Jonathan David (Lille).
Šeško is a tall and talented 20-year-old striker doing well in the Bundesliga. Delap has impressed in the Championship, and David has been scoring goals regularly in France for a few seasons.
This shows that Chelsea are still interested in signing young players with potential. They have been doing this since the new owners took over. They’re not thinking about short-term fixes, but long-term ones.
Past Mistakes: Why Chelsea Are Being More Careful
One big reason for this new plan is the club’s experience with Romelu Lukaku. Chelsea spent £97.5 million on him in 2021, expecting big things. But the move didn’t work out, and he was sent back on loan after just one season.
That failed transfer reminded the club that spending big doesn’t always mean success. Even proven strikers can struggle, especially when the team is still finding its rhythm.
Everything now depends on how much Chelsea trust Jackson. If they believe he’s the main man, then signing a younger striker as backup is a smart move.
But some fans still think the club should buy a world-class goalscorer to help them compete at the top.
Whatever happens, it’s clear that Chelsea’s plans have changed. The team is growing, and so is their belief in Nicolas Jackson. His strong performances have opened a new path — and that could shape Chelsea’s future in a big way.
