Even though the winter transfer window has only just closed this week, there are already fresh rumours linking Chelsea with a potential move for a Premier League striker.
As it stands, Nicolas Jackson is occupying the role as the first-choice No.9 at Stamford Bridge. The alternative options in the Chelsea squad to lead the line are Marc Guiu or Christopher Nkunku.
Chelsea looked at signing a new centre-forward in January, but head coach Enzo Maresca will need to make do with what he’s got for the second half of the campaign.
If the Blues want to start winning trophies again, there’s a strong argument to be made that they need another clinical frontman up top.
Chelsea monitoring PL striker who’s outscored Nicolas Jackson since the start of last season
According to TBR Football, Chelsea are one of numerous teams monitoring Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Apparently, there are doubts over the striker’s future at Selhurst Park, which has alerted many potential suitors.
The report mentions that Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle United, West Ham, Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are keeping tabs on the 27-year-old Premier League forward. Also, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Marseille are paying close attention to the player.
Described as “tremendous” by Danny Murphy last season (BBC Sport), Mateta’s reputation has started to really grow in the past 18 months.
The French centre-forward is yet to play for a truly elite club, but could it be a matter of time before someone takes a chance on him?
Chelsea could move for Palace centre-back Marc Guehi in the summer. Now, they could be after his teammate Mateta as well.
Nicolas Jackson vs Jean-Philippe Mateta
Let’s take a look at how Jackson and Mateta compare since the start of the 2023/24 campaign because they’ve both been playing in England’s top division during that period.
| Season | Appearances | Goals |
| 2023/24 | 35 | 16 |
| 2024/25 (Current) | 24 | 10 |
| Season | Appearances | Goals |
| 2023/24 | 35 | 14 |
| 2024/25 (Current) | 23 | 9 |
As you can see above, Mateta has outscored Jackson by three goals across the last season and a half. It’s worth adding that he’s done so in Palace’s mid-table team, too.
We’d still have question marks about whether Mateta could be the main man at a top club, but he’s in amazing form right now with six goals in his last five Premier League appearances. In contrast, Jackson hasn’t scored for Chelsea in his last eight consecutive league matches.
Gary Lineker believes Chelsea’s Jackson can improve as a finisher, but will the club show patience with the 23-year-old?
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