A Chelsea first-team player was gutted about Mauricio Pochettino leaving in the summer and has since considered his future at the club.
There was yet more significant change in the manager’s dugout at Stamford Bridge over the summer, this time with Enzo Maresca coming in and replacing Mauricio Pochettino after his exit by mutual consent.
The Athletic claimed a few weeks ago that many of Chelsea’s players still miss Pochettino. Hopefully, they can start quickly under Maresca, but it’s a difficult opening Premier League fixture at home to Manchester City on Sunday.
Nicolas Jackson has considered Chelsea future
We spoke to transfer expert Graeme Bailey on Wednesday regarding the situation of Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea.
Apparently, the £32m striker (The Guardian) has been irritated by Pochettino’s departure from the club. Meanwhile, all the talk around the Blues possibly signing more centre-forwards even caused him to contemplate his future this summer, albeit he’s not expected to leave.
Bailey has told The Chelsea Chronicle: “It’s never been the case that Chelsea weren’t happy with the player, but the player was unsettled when Mauricio Pochettino left. He’s continued to be perturbed by that. Nicolas Jackson settled in brilliantly in the second half of the season, and a lot of that he does put down to Pochettino.
“He has seen Chelsea’s drive for a new number nine. They bought in Marc Guiu from Barcelona. It’s my understanding he thought he did enough to start the season. By chance, not by Chelsea’s making, Jackson might start the season as the number nine. He knows he’s not going to finish there.
“That doesn’t mean Chelsea want him to go and will allow him to go. Jackson is not the only one disturbed by Pochettino’s exit. He probably will stay. Jackson was considering his future.”
Nicolas Jackson should be worried if Victor Osimhen joins
Jackson had a really solid first year at Chelsea last season, so it’s fair enough that he expects to be given the chance to shine again. He finished with 17 goals in 44 games across all competitions last term as the main attacker.
However, the Blues continue to be linked in the transfer rumour mill with more attacking players.
TEAMtalk has claimed this week that Chelsea may break their wage structure for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who’s a clinical centre-forward in their sights right now.
If Osimhen to Chelsea does end up materialising, it’s surely bad news for Jackson and his minutes in the starting XI.
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