Nicolas Jackson has made it clear he isn’t concerned about competing with fellow forwards Joao Pedro and Liam Delap despite mounting speculation over his future following Chelsea’s recent attacking reinforcements,
The Senegal international insists his focus remains firmly on his own performance, stating he is ready to fight for his place in Enzo Maresca’s squad.
Jackson’s situation became more precarious during the Club World Cup, where he received a red card in Chelsea’s 3-1 semi-final loss to Flamengo, ruling him out for the rest of the tournament.
That setback allowed Delap to step in, while Pedro stole the spotlight with three goals across the semi-final and final after arriving from Brighton in a high-profile transfer.
Since making the move from Villarreal in 2023, Jackson has shown moments of promise but has struggled with consistency.
Last season, he registered 10 goals in 30 Premier League matches and 13 in all competitions—down from the 17 goals he netted the previous year.
With Pedro and Delap now vying for starting roles, Jackson has seemingly fallen to third in the striking hierarchy.
Transfer rumours continue to swirl, with reports suggesting the 23-year-old could be available for around £80 million. Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa have all been linked with a potential move.
Yet, Jackson has brushed off the idea of a brewing rivalry in the Chelsea frontline.
“Competition? I have no competition,” Jackson told Dsports. “We’re all here to help the club. Everyone has their role to play. I’m on a mission. It’s up to the coach to make his choices. I focus solely on my work.”
With Maresca now facing the task of juggling three talented forwards, the challenge will be finding enough game time for each.
But for Jackson, the mission is clear, even if his minutes on the pitch may be limited in the coming season.