Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Thu 21 August 2025 20:53, UK

Chelsea will be making a big mistake in selling Nicolas Jackson to Newcastle or Aston Villa this summer.

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That’s the view of former Arsenal and England forward Paul Merson, who has warned the Blues that Jackson ‘could come back to haunt them’.

Jackson only joined Chelsea from Villarreal two years ago, since notching 30 goals and 12 assists in 81 appearances — winning Conference League and Club World Cup titles.

But Chelsea have spent heavily on the likes of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer, meaning Jackson is up for sale and attracting ‘complicated’ interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Nicolas Jackson’s 2024-25 stats (Credit: Imago)

“He [Jackson] is available but he is not going to be part of the squad,” Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said ahead of this weekend’s trip to West Ham (Mirror, 21 August).

“Because as we already said, we have two strikers, we have two players in that position, and also we know that something can happen before the transfer window closes.”

That is proof enough of where Chelsea stand with Jackson, not to mention the fact he was left out of the squad for the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

But while Maresca doesn’t fancy Jackson, Merson is a big fan and believes Chelsea could be making a huge mistake by selling him this summer.

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“I like Jackson, I’ve seen a lot of him.

“If I were Aston Villa or Newcastle, I’d buy him all day long.

He gives you a hard time, he’s willing to run.”

On Chelsea being so willing to move Jackson out of Stamford Bridge, he continued: “I’m pretty shocked with Chelsea.

Jackson could come back to haunt them if he went to Newcastle or Villa, by scoring a few goals.”

Enzo Maresca wants to sell Nicolas Jackson (Credit: Imago)

Football Insider verdict

Merson does have a point in that Jackson brings a physical presence and plenty of chaos to any team he plays for.
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