Enzo Maresca gives Nicolas Jackson fitness update after he missed Chelsea vs Real Madrid

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea fans will be keen to hear what head coach Enzo Maresa has just said about the fitness of their striker.

Nicolas Jackson, 23, has been with the Chelsea group during their pre-season tour of the United States. However, he’s been recovering from an ankle injury and overseas supporters haven’t actually seen him on the pitch.

Jackson was pictured training with teammates last week via Chelsea’s official X account. The young centre-forward clearly isn’t ready to participate in games, though.

His omission from Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid makes it a clean sweep of five matches he’s missed in the US, with the squad now travelling back home to London.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca makes it clear the position he wants to play Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson in

Enzo Maresca’s injury update on Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea finish pre-season with a home match against Inter Milan this Sunday before beginning their Premier League campaign a week later versus Manchester City.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca has admitted he’s “not sure” if Jackson will be ready to face Inter. The same goes for his teammates Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella, too.

“We will see when they play – not sure for Inter, hopefully for the City game,” Maresca said via Chelsea’s official website.

“They are all important players. In terms of numbers, Cole and Nico scored almost 40 goals so they are both very important, and Marc too.”

How important is Nicolas Jackson?

While Jackson wasn’t quite everyone’s cup of tea last season, it turned out to be a pretty solid debut year from him in Chelsea colours. His record of 17 goals and six assists in 44 Blues appearances is a great foundation to build on moving forward.

There were times when the attacker frustrated fans with his inconsistent finishing, but ultimately he did bring so much on and off the ball to the side.

Chelsea heavily relied on his availability and quality throughout last season, so it’s less than ideal that his summer has been interrupted by injury.

If Jackson’s not ready to lead the line on the opening day against Man City, Christopher Nkunku or Marc Guiu look the most likely alternatives based off pre-season.