As things stand, it looks like Nicolas Jackson will get a chance to impress new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso.
Alonso spoke about Jackson in his first press conference as Chelsea boss on Monday, confirming that he would be with the first-team squad for pre-season.
The striker spent the last campaign out on loan at Bayern Munich, who had an obligation to buy him if he made a specific number of starts.
However, that did not happen and Jackson is now set to link up with Alonso. There is still no guarantee that he will remain at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer, though.
Nicolas Jackson or Liam Delap, which one are you keeping? Tell us who and why!
Nicolas Jackson would lose Ollie Watkins battle at Aston Villa
Aston Villa showed interest in Jackson last summer, with Unai Emery managing the 25-year-old at Villarreal, and it appears that they still have him on their radar.
According to Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, Villa could make a move for Jackson late in the transfer window.
Jackson may find the opportunity to reunite with Emery appealing, but he is unlikely to be a starter at Villa Park because of Ollie Watkins.
In Watkins, Villa have one of the best centre-forwards in the Premier League. Last season, the England international scored 16 goals in 37 appearances. The campaign before that, Watkins also netted 16 times, so he is quite a prolific striker.
With that in mind, it is arguably going to be much easier for Jackson to break into Chelsea’s team than Villa’s.
That will not be a simple mission either because of Joao Pedro, who also had a strong 2025/26 Premier League campaign after scoring on 15 occasions.
However, Pedro’s track record is not as good as Watkins’, while the Brazilian may have to be used as a No.10 at times like last term. That could see Jackson get opportunities to lead the line for the Blues.
If it is a choice between staying at Chelsea or joining Villa, it could make more sense for Jackson to choose the former.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
