Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca sends brutal new transfer message to Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson looks set to leave Chelsea this summer amid interest from Newcastle and Aston Villa and Blues boss Enzo Maresca has now provided an update on the forward’s future

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted Nicolas Jackson will be “more happy” if he leaves the club this summer. Jackson has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, having fallen down the pecking order.

Chelsea have already signed two new strikers, bringing in Joao Pedro from Brighton for £55million and Liam Delap from Ipswich for £30m. The Blues are ready to sell Jackson for around £60m and the likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Arsenal have all been linked with the forward.

Although United and Arsenal have already signed Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres respectively, Newcastle and Villa remain potential destinations and Maresca has offered an update on Jackson’s future.

When asked about Jackson ahead Chelsea’s trip to West Ham, Maresca said: “He [Jackson] is available but he is not going to be part of the squad. 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.

“Christo [Nkunku] is with us, like Nico. But it’s the same answer. The other two players [Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling ] are training apart, waiting for a solution. We’ll see if they’re going to be here, they’re going to be with us.

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“In case they are not here it means they have found a solution. At the end I think it’s always better if they can find a solution because I think they are going to be more happy and the club the same.”

Maresca was also quizzed on the future of Wesley Fofana after the defender deleted every Chelsea-related post on his Instagram account. However, Maresca has insisted the 24-year-old is “very happy” at Chelsea.

“I spoke with Wes yesterday,” Maresca said. “He is very, very happy. First of all because he is back from injury. He is joining all the sessions with us. He is very happy.

“He was on the bench against Palace. From tomorrow, he is also with us and he can also get some minutes. He is happy and we are happy. On Instagram, I don’t have any idea.

“As I said in this moment, Wes is happy. There is nothing to add on that. If there was abuse on Instagram, it’s never good for any human being in the world. But it is something that we cannot control.”

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