Opinion

Chelsea have finally identified the perfect Nicolas Jackson alternative after latest transfer development

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Nicolas Jackson was doing a terrific job at Chelsea up until the latter part of December.

Since Chelsea‘s 2-1 win against Brentford on December 15, which was the Blues’ last victory in the Premier League, Nicolas Jackson has failed to score a single goal.

It means that the striker has not found the back of the net in five games, coinciding with his side’s poor run of form.

DateNicolas Jackson’s last five Premier League outingsMinutesGoals scoredAssists
22/12/24Everton (A)7500
26/12/24Fulham (H)7300
30/12/24Ipswich Town (A)3500
04/01/25Crystal Palace (A)8100
14/01/25Bournemouth (H)9001
Total535401
Via Transfermarkt

It has seen Jackson heavily criticised and revealed the need for Chelsea to sign another centre-forward this month.

Newcastle United FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC - Premier League
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

Chelsea keeping an eye on Matheus Cunha

Matheus Cunha had been linked with a move to Chelsea, but then it was reported that he was close to signing a new contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, there seems to be a bit of a delay and it appears that Chelsea are looking at the 25-year-old again.

According to journalist Simon Phillips, who shared an update on Chelsea’s interest in Cunha on his Substack Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, the Blues are “sniffing around” his situation as things drag on.

The club have been linked with plenty of strikers, but if they are looking for someone to compete with Jackson rather than replace him, then Cunha could be perfect.

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Matheus Cunha ticks plenty of boxes

Cunha is 25 and has a fair amount of Premier League experience now, so he could be an ideal addition to this very young Chelsea squad.

In total, the Brazilian has made 69 appearances in the English top flight and scored 24 goals. In that time, he has also recorded 11 assists.

This season, Cunha has scored more goals than Jackson as well after playing roughly the same amount of minutes.

PlayerLeague gamesMinutesGoalsxGxG differenceAssists
Matheus Cunha201,609104.375.634
Nicolas Jackson201,548911.44-2.444
Via Matheus Cunha’s WhoScored and Nicolas Jackson’s WhoScored pages

Coming from a lesser team in Wolves and not being an elite player just yet, the Brazil international may be content with rotating with Jackson.

Two good strikers that Enzo Maresca may be able to keep happy at the same time, it is definitely worth Chelsea bidding for Cunha before the January transfer window closes.