Chelsea took their entire first-team squad to the Club World Cup, but not every player is likely to remain with the group next term.
Currently, the likes of Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson are all being linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca was recently asked about Madueke potentially leaving Chelsea, but the Italian is aiming to keep hold of him.
He may soon have to deal with questions about Jackson’s future as well amid interest from Juventus.
Nicolas Jackson no longer ‘untouchable’ at Chelsea
Jackson has his doubters, including John Obi Mikel, who was very critical of the striker following his red card in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Flamengo on Friday.
Mikel slammed Jackson, describing his challenge as “stupid”. It was his second red card in a Chelsea shirt following his dismissal away at Newcastle United towards the end of last season.
The 24-year-old, though, still has admirers in the game. According to the website of Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are interested in signing him this summer, and a deal looks possible.
The report on the website claims that Jackson is no longer viewed as “untouchable” at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have Liam Delap now after signing the England Under-21 international from Ipswich Town earlier this month. However, Jackson’s departure would still leave Enzo Maresca short up front, so the Blues are likely to bring in a replacement if he does go.
Frank Leboeuf labels Nicolas Jackson an ‘enigma’
For another former Chelsea player, Frank Leboeuf, the jury is still out on Jackson.
When Leboeuf spoke about Jackson last month, he said: “I don’t know what to think about Jackson. I mean, Jackson is a question mark. He’s an enigma.”
It will now be interesting to see what happens with the Senegal international. He has upset a lot of Chelsea supporters with his latest sending off, while the club seem open to parting ways with him.
Jackson has not been in west London for long, but perhaps a fresh start elsewhere would benefit the former Villarreal man.
