Roberto Di Matteo reveals which summer Chelsea departure was ‘harsh’

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Chelsea let several first-team players leave during the summer transfer window, and Roberto Di Matteo believes one of those departures was “harsh.”

Chelsea have become notorious over recent years for frantic transfer windows, and this past summer was no different. Many players came and went.

The board aimed to financially back Enzo Maresca after an impressive first season in charge, and while the likes of Joao Pedro and Alejandro Garnacho joined the Blues, some players had to leave to facilitate that.

Not only did players have to depart from a financial perspective, but also to make space in the squad for the new signings. Still, a few departures did catch people by surprise.

Roberto Di Matteo believes Nicolas Jackson was a ‘very good’ striker

Nicolas Jackson was one name that many Chelsea fans didn’t expect to leave Stamford Bridge during the summer, but he joined Bayern Munich on a season-long loan, with the German side having an obligation to buy him if he starts 40 games.

While the Senegal international proved divisive at Chelsea due to his missed chances and poor disciplinary record, Di Matteo explained to Metro that he should’ve stayed.

“I think it was harsh to let him go, that’s my opinion. He worked really hard, he was a very good striker. Maybe he was missing something.

“That natural [goalscoring] instinct. Maybe he hasn’t got it yet, he still might find it.

“Comparing him to Pedro, he has that; he is a natural goalscorer who can score out of nothing, which is the difference.”

Pedro has hit the ground running at Chelsea, scoring two Premier League goals in as many games, which has excited the fanbase, while helping the team make an unbeaten start to the season.

Chelsea placed faith in Marc Guiu over Nicolas Jackson

Jackson’s deal to Bayern Munich nearly collapsed at the final stages after Liam Delap suffered a hamstring injury, leaving the team short of options up front.

The Blues considered stopping Jackson’s loan to ensure he could provide cover, but the club ended up taking an alternative route.

Chelsea recalled Marc Guiu from his loan deal at Sunderland to give Maresca an extra option on match days.

Guiu had just started settling into life at the Stadium of Light and even scored for the Black Cats in the EFL Cup before being brought back to Stamford Bridge.