Enzo Maresca earmarks five Chelsea players who can replace Nicolas Jackson if he leaves

Add as preferred source on Google

The future of Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson remains up in the air going into the final weeks of the transfer window. If he exits Stamford Bridge, do the Blues have enough attacking firepower to cope without him?

Even though Nicolas Jackson has been the first-choice striker at Chelsea in the past two seasons, he now finds himself out of favour.

The 24-year-old striker was left out of the squad for both pre-season friendlies last week because Jackson is expected to leave Chelsea before the summer window closes on 1 September.

Apparently, Chelsea will reintegrate Jackson to their squad in the 2025/26 season if he doesn’t leave.

• READ MORE: Newcastle chiefs come to agreement over Nicolas Jackson as Chelsea wait for him to leave this summer

Enzo Maresca thinks five Chelsea players can cover striker role

According to The Daily Mail, Chelsea are unlikely to sign a new centre-forward if Jackson is sold this summer because they are confident they have enough options in the squad.

It is explained that the Blues feel they are in a strong position with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap competing for the starting striker role. On top of that, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca believes that Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian can cover as false nines if necessary.

Without a doubt, the new-look forward line is exciting with the summer additions of Pedro and Delap. Maresca shared his delight with Pedro and Delap because he’s expecting both of them to score plenty of goals.

As for Palmer, we much prefer him as a No.10 or right-winger, so the idea of using him as a false nine isn’t too appealing. Similarly, Estevao and Neto are much stronger from wide areas, even though Neto did cover as an emergency striker towards the end of last season.

What Pedro Neto previously said about playing centre-forward

Last season, Neto found himself covering as Chelsea’s emergency striker for several matches.

Back in February 2025, Neto admitted he enjoys playing up front. The Blues forward said: “I don’t have to run as much running back. I have more energy to run in front… I have a free role as well to play there… I’m really enjoying playing there.”

Neto would be our pick to play down the middle if both Pedro and Delap were unavailable, which hopefully won’t happen in the new season.

Marc Guiu, 19, joined Sunderland on a season-long loan to help his development, leaving Chelsea without a recognised senior third striker if Jackson departs.