Chelsea had to sell big during 2025 to stay in line with sanctions placed on them by UEFA for their financial misdemeanours.
The Blues were forced to part ways with a number of players in the summer in order to register new signings such as Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian and Liam Delap.
Chelsea did recall big money from the sales of Joao Felix and Noni Madueke, and have not been left regretting those deals after their individual impacts at Stamford Bridge.
Who or what is to blame for Chelsea’s poor form? 📉
However, not every sale has directly benefitted the club. Getting rid of Renato Veiga will have angered Enzo Maresca as he cried out for a solution to a season without Levi Colwill.
Nicolas Jackson departure is Chelsea’s biggest mistake of 2025
Despite that, the departure of Nicolas Jackson is a situation that is hurting Chelsea in the long run, and proof that the grass is not always greener.
The Senegal international scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for the Blues across two seasons, and his record each season provides numbers that both Delap and Pedro are unlikely to hit.
Jackson is currently starring at the African Cup of Nations too, after proving a useful asset off the bench this season for Bayern Munich.
SCENARIO: You are one of Chelsea’s sporting directors and Todd Boehly has given you £60m to spend in January. Who are you signing?
Your potential shortlist could include:
- Kobbie Mainoo
- Mike Maignan
- Marc Guehi
Perhaps the biggest factor Chelsea are now missing out on is the relationship between Jackson and Cole Palmer, which was one of the club’s biggest routes to goal under Mauricio Pochettino and Maresca.
Palmer is yet to provide an assist to either Pedro or Delap, and while injuries have played a part, Chelsea are suffering as a result.
Jackson’s stance on Chelsea return
Perhaps the only positive from the deal is the Jackson is currently only on loan at Bayern, and will technically still be a Chelsea player at the end of the season.
However, at this stage Jackson doesn’t want to feature for the Blues again, leaving them going back to the drawing board when it comes to finding a solution to that problem.
There is Premier League interest in Jackson, but Chelsea should be looking at the glaring issues in their own squad before parting ways with him.
Jackson really should still have a future at Stamford Bridge, but the club’s treatment of the striker may see them having to rethink their strategy again.
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