Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed that striker Nicolas Jackson remains unavailable for selection amid links of an exit from the club.
The Senegal forward missed the Blues’ 2025/26 EPL opener against Crystal Palace last Sunday and has not featured for the club since the FIFA Club World Cup in July.
Jackson, 24, has been linked with an exit from the London club this summer, with Aston Villa reigniting interest in his services in recent days.
Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both joined the club as striking reinforcements earlier this summer, increasing competition for the team’s number nine role.
“He [Jackson] is available, but he’s not going to be part of the squad,” Maresca said.
“We have two strikers, two players in that position and also we know something can happen before the transfer window closes.
“No idea [if a move away is close]. I prefer to be focused on training sessions and preparing for the game. I don’t know.”
Jackson scored 13 goals from 37 appearances in all competitions in the 2024/25 season and is open to an exit just two years after joining the club from Villareal.
Chelsea travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham United in their second league game of the new season, hoping to better their opening day draw against Palace.
“It’s a tough game again; all the Premier League games are tough and difficult.”, he continued.
‘If you remember the game against West Ham at home last year, it was difficult for us. They defended very well and tomorrow I expect exactly the same. The Premier League just started, so they are trying to find solutions in the same way we are doing”, Maresca concluded.
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