Enzo Maresca has confirmed that striker Nicolas Jackson will not feature in Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on Sunday (August 17), with speculation continuing to swirl over the striker’s future.
Jackson, who joined the Blues from Villarreal in the summer of 2023, is under contract until 2033 but could leave Stamford Bridge this window, with Manchester United among the clubs linked.
Newcastle United also maintain an interest in Jackson as they try to navigate their impasse with Alexander Isak, who is currently insisting on a move away from St. James’ Park.
Jackson has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for Chelsea and was one of only two players to hit double figures for the Blues in the league last season (10 goals, behind Cole Palmer’s 13).
However, the summer arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap could limit the forward’s minutes this season.
The Senegal international featured just three times during Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup triumph and missed preseason matches against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.
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What has Maresca said about Jackson’s future?
“He is training with us, but he is not going to be involved against Palace,” Maresca said.
“You know the situation already. The window is open, he can leave, and we [will] see.”
Chelsea are not actively pushing Jackson out and will have no issues reintegrating him into the squad if a move does not materialise.
But Maresca admitted the club remain active in the market, with RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons and United’s Alejandro Garnacho among those linked with a move to London.
The Blues boss also strongly reiterated his desire for a new central defender following Levi Colwill’s ACL injury, which is set to rule the England international out for most of the campaign.
He urged his Chelsea higher-ups, who are keen to rely on internal options already within the squad, to find a solution in the transfer market.
Maresca discusses team news ahead of Crystal Palace. 🗣️
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 15, 2025
“I think we need a central defender,” Maresca continued. “We are looking for an internal solution, but as I said, the club know exactly what I think.
"It's different because the one in the middle is in the middle for a reason.
“He is the one that recognises solutions, he is the one most of the time that has to break lines. It’s not the same playing in the middle as playing on the left side.
“Then there are players that can do both. Levi, when Tosin [Adarabioyo] was playing in the middle, was on the left.
“But most of the time Levi was in the middle, and then we have Trev [Chalobah] or Cucu [Marc Cucurella], or Reece [James] or Cucu.
“They have different solutions. But the one in the middle in my way [of playing] is so, so, so important.”
Chelsea host a brimming-with-confidence Palace side on Sunday, with fixtures against West Ham and Fulham to follow before deadline day.
Chelsea news and related links
- Enzo Maresca demands defensive reinforcements following key injury
- Enzo Maresca confirms who could Chelsea sign next this summer
- Chelsea sets transfer condition to sign Xavi and Garnacho