Chelsea star unsettled under Enzo Maresca, open to leaving Stamford Bridge: Reports

Enzo Maresca could lose one of his strikers this summer.
Enzo Maresca could lose one of his strikers this summer.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is reportedly unsettled at his club under new head coach Enzo Maresca and is open to leaving the Stamford Bridge side this summer.

The Blues, who finished sixth in the league under Mauricio Pochettino last season, are currently one of the highest spending clubs this summer. They have spent over £200 million to snap up the likes of Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Tosin Adarabioyo this summer.

Now, according to HITC, Jackson is currently unsettled at Chelsea amid a plethora of summer signings. He is believed to be one of the Blues stars who was perturbed by Pochettino's departure earlier this May.

Furthermore, with Chelsea allegedly linked with Atletico Madrid's Samu Omorodion and Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Jackson is currently open to leaving. The 23-year-old is of the opinion that Maresca would not start him enough should the Blues rope in a new striker soon.

Jackson, who joined the Blues from Villarreal for around £32 million last July, has a contract until June 2031. The Senegalese netted 17 goals and provided six assists in 44 games across competitions last term.

Meanwhile, the west London outfit's reported £35 million move for Omorodion has collapsed, according to acclaimed transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. They will now try to include Joao Felix in a potential deal involving Conor Gallagher, who is close to joining Atletico Madrid.

On the other hand, HITC have claimed the Blues are locked in talks with Napoli as they are aiming to sell Romelu Lukaku to Antonio Conte's side. They are also keen to loan in Osimhen, who would only join the English team this year on a mandatory loan-to-buy clause.

Chelsea boss warned about potential issue

Speaking to British betting website Lord Ping, former Chelsea star William Gallas sent a warning to Enzo Maresca ahead of the start of the 2024-25 Premier League season. He said (h/t The Sun):

"The players are too young and it's a huge problem, but the problem isn't down to the players... the problem is whoever is bringing them in. It's the owner who is putting his hand into his pocket but others are giving him the information, they've spent too much on the wrong players. It's a huge mess, a huge mess."

Only Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Pedro Neto are above the age of 22 out of all the stars the Blues have signed of late.

Chelsea won just one of their six pre-season matches this summer.

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Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee