Latest news with #NicolasJackson
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Decision to make' – Top insider opens up on Chelsea's striker plans for the summer
'Decision to make' – Top insider opens up on Chelsea's striker plans for the summer Chelsea are planning for Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson to be their strikers for the upcoming season according to Matt Law. The Blues are once again set to be busy in the summer and have already completed the signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich for £30m. Advertisement More new faces are expected to follow Delap through the door with the club targeting a versatile forward, centre back and left winger. Chelsea planning for Delap and Jackson to be the strikers Chelsea suffered at times last season without an alternative to Jackson but have moved quickly to address the issue by signing Delap. Delap has taken the number nine shirt and impressed in his debut Premier League campaign with 12 goals for an Ipswich side who got relegated. Chelsea will hope Delap is the man to score them goals. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC) The 22-year-old will add a much needed different dimension to Chelsea's attack, and Cole Palmer believes Delap is one of the best strikers in the Premier League. Advertisement There's been talk of bringing in another striker, but Law has now provided an update on the situation and what Chelsea's plans are. 'If a club did come in with a big bid for Jackson, that would give them a decision to make, but unless a club comes in for Jackson, I think that they're gearing up for Delap and Jackson being the number nines,' he told The London Is Blue Podcast. Jackson facing uncertain future? Jackson had a difficult campaign last season and managed just ten goals in the league, although he did score in the Conference League final. More Stories / Latest News 'Decision to make' – Top insider opens up on Chelsea's striker plans for the summer Advertisement 13th Jun 2025, 05:45pm 'The situation is different' – Matt Law provides major update on Trevoh Chalobah's future 13th Jun 2025, 05:15pm Former Chelsea player speaks out about Liam Delap and 'cursed' number 9 13th Jun 2025, 04:45pm The Senegal international has been linked with a shock move to Manchester United, although Maresca has admitted he really likes Jackson. If Chelsea do sign another striker it will be interesting to see what happens, but right now it's likely Jackson will be at the club next season.
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Cole Palmer says Enzo Maresca does give him creative freedom at Chelsea
Cole Palmer insists that Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca gives him the room to try things on the pitch, adding that he felt he played too 'safe' before creating two goals in last month's Conference League final. Chelsea fell 1-0 behind against Real Betis in Wroclaw with Palmer a subdued figure in the first half, but the former Manchester City attacking midfielder was notably more aggressive after the interval, supplying two brilliant crosses for Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson to score and turn the final on its head. Advertisement After the match, Palmer said that he was 'sick of getting the ball and going backwards and sideways'. The comments were interpreted by some as a thinly-veiled criticism of Maresca's patient, possession-focused style, though Chelsea officials quickly clarified that he had been referring to his own performance rather than the instructions of his head coach. Palmer elaborated on that before a Chelsea training session at their Philadelphia Union base on Thursday, speaking ahead of their second Club World Cup group match against Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field. 'We had a joke about it (with Maresca),' the 23-year-old said. 'My comments weren't towards the manager or anything. It was just a personal thing. I felt like in the game, I was maybe being a bit safe. So that's where the comment came from. I wanted to get the ball and try something different than previously. 'Obviously, you can't take the p— and do like whatever you want and stuff, but I feel like he (Maresca) still gives you a little bit of room to try and see what I can do.' After a scintillating 2024, Palmer has endured a difficult individual 2025, which featured an 18-game streak without scoring. Opponents are going to greater lengths to make life difficult for Chelsea's talisman, while the expectation on him to be decisive has risen significantly. Asked if he ever feels the pressure, Palmer replied: 'Obviously, it sometimes gets to everyone. But most of the time, I try and ignore it. 'I still do the same things now that I did before I came to Chelsea. I try and think it's just a game of football at the end of the day, like it's not life or death. So I just try and enjoy it. I like to go and play five-a-side and go to the astro(turf) and just do normal things (to take my mind off things).' Palmer also admitted that he and his Chelsea team-mates are feeling the effects of a gruelling season made longer by the Club World Cup. 'You get tired and stuff,' he added. 'So after this, I will need a break because we've been playing for a year straight.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Goalscoring machine will return' - fans on Chelsea's fixtures
The 2025-26 Premier League fixtures are official - so we asked how you think the schedule has fallen and where Chelsea will be after the first 10 are some of your replies:Conrad: Well nice. Four London derbies to start with. Hopefully that should be three wins and a draw minimum, as long as Nicolas Jackson or Christopher Nkunku aren't up front. I think Cole Palmer will be back to the goalscoring machine of seasons before and Chelsea will finish in the top I would like to think top four after 10 games. It is going to be a busy season with the Champions League, the Premier League and other cup competitions. Exciting times ahead, The team is still very inexperienced, but as long as we don't sign any more youngsters I think top four is a I wish Chelsea a good season. I am optimistic they will be top two at the end of the season, despite the youthfulness of the team.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea: Mikel John Obi makes Liam Delap prediction after fans are denied dream Victor Osimhen signing
Instant impact: Liam Delap claimed an assist on his Chelsea debut (Chelsea FC via Getty Images) Former Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi says he expects Nicolas Jackson to start next season as the first-choice striker after revealing supporters wanted Victor Osimhen signed instead of Liam Delap. Chelsea completed a £30m deal for Delap earlier in the month after activating the release clause in the striker's contract at Ipswich following their relegation from the Premier League. Advertisement The 22-year-old made his Blues debut as a substitute in their 2-0 Club World Cup win over LAFC, claiming an assist for Enzo Fernandez to seal all three points with around 10 minutes left to play. Despite the instant impact, Mikel - who told Standard Sport about his reservations regarding the Delap signing - has stated that Osimhen was the more popular choice amongst the fanbase. Speaking on DAZN, he said: 'We need someone to come in, score goals and finish those chances 'Obviously, he [Delap] isn't the guy the fans wanted. We know who the fans wanted. 'The fans wanted Victor Osimhen to come to the club but he didn't. Obviously the club decided to go with Delap. He's young, he's gonna get better. Advertisement 'Hopefully he hits the ground running and then he's gonna quieten those doubters. I wish him well, I hope he succeeds at this club. I think he can. 'The runs I saw today, running behind defenders, I think he can be the guy to finish those chances.' Liam Delap replaced Nicolas Jackson for his Chelsea debut (Chelsea FC via Getty Images) Whilst Delap showed promise on his Chelsea bow, Mikel has predicted that Jackson will be tasked with leading the line when the Premier League season gets underway. 'But, Nic Jackson, let's not forget, I still think he will be the main man,' Mikel added. 'He just needs to work on his finishing. I still think he's gonna be the guy to start the season. 'During the season, if he's not scoring then Delap gets his opportunity. Healthy competition is really important.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Same old, same old but Delap looks a good buy' - fans on CWC opener
We asked for your views on Chelsea's opening Club World Cup match against Los Angeles FC in are some of your comments:Thabiso: Same old problems - ponderous build-up, flimsy press and panicky defence. On the plus side, Liam Delap looks like the menace up front we have been crying out A bit lethargic but this was only a group game. Noni Madueke was poor, but Nicolas Jackson and Delap looked good, and Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto linked up well together. We need to improve as the tournament progresses but let's not forget this is also part of our pre-season, so rotation and resting will be part of the overall Same old, same old. Palmer carrying the rest of the average bunch. Delap looked good for the minutes he got, but still no spark of excitement for the fans. We need to up our game Chelsea were pretty good after they settled down. While every Chelsea fan wants them to win every game and fixture, Neto is showing how good he is and Palmer seems to be coming out of his shell. Things can only get better (we hope).Ron: We are still too slow and deliberate in our build-up from defence to attack. Still don't agree with our style of play but Delap looks like a good buy. He makes good runs off the ball, which help to open up well set up defences. Looking forward to seeing some more of the new youngsters, but feel we need another strong central defender and Loved the energy Delap brought to the game when he came on. Great movement and touch to put Enzo Fernandez in for his goal. Very excited about this signing!Gary: I thought we were very flat against a poor side. We still need a world-class forward and a goalkeeper just to get us closer to the top three, but will we address those positions?Nick: We were only troubled occasionally, when playing sloppily and losing concentration. Neto was the clear man of the match but Flamengo will be a tougher game for us on Friday.
