Nicolas Jackson’s future at Chelsea is looking increasingly uncertain as the club appears ready to listen to offers for the Senegalese forward.
Once considered an important part of the team’s attacking setup, Jackson is now seen as less essential at Stamford Bridge — a shift that has come about partly due to recent on-field disciplinary problems and outside transfer interest, especially from Italy.
The most notable incident that has raised questions over Jackson’s place in Chelsea’s long-term plans was his costly red card during the club’s defeat to Flamengo at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 24-year-old was sent off just four minutes after coming off the bench for a dangerous, mistimed tackle, an action that provoked widespread criticism and concern over his decision-making.
That dismissal has put Jackson under increased scrutiny, as it followed a previous red card in a Premier League match against Newcastle.
Taken together, these two dismissals in quick succession have cast serious doubts over his temperament and self-discipline.
Despite scoring a respectable 13 goals in 33 appearances during his first season with the Blues after arriving from Villarreal, Jackson now faces serious competition for a starting spot.
Chelsea have already moved to bolster their attacking ranks this summer by signing Liam Delap, a talented striker who is expected to fight hard for a place in the first eleven.
This new arrival only intensifies the pressure on Jackson to show that he can stay focused and deliver the level of consistency Chelsea require at the top level.
Meanwhile, clubs in Serie A are keeping a close eye on Jackson’s situation.
Juventus are believed to be the most advanced in their pursuit, with reports suggesting they have already begun early talks to gauge Chelsea’s interest in a potential sale.
Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has stated that Juventus still have other options — such as Viktor Gyokeres — in their sights, but they appreciate Jackson’s qualities and believe a deal could be possible.
Napoli, too, have expressed interest in Jackson and will continue to monitor the situation, although they also have their eyes on Darwin Núñez and Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca as alternative options.
On the Chelsea side, tensions surrounding Jackson’s disciplinary record have been acknowledged by senior players.
Left-back Marc Cucurella spoke out recently about the issue, noting that while Jackson had been quick to apologise to the squad after his red card, the entire team expects him to work on avoiding similar mistakes in the future.
“He has great talent,” Cucurella remarked. “But he knows this is an area that must improve.”
Jackson himself took to social media to apologise publicly to fans and teammates. In an emotional message, he accepted responsibility for his actions: “I want to say sorry to the club, the staff, my teammates, and the fans. I let you all down.
Another red card … I’m so frustrated with myself. Every day, I work hard to help this team, not put them in difficult situations. It was never my intention to cause problems — it was a bad mistake,” he wrote.
With his discipline now under the microscope and new forwards arriving at Chelsea, Jackson’s future at the club looks more fragile than ever as the summer transfer window continues to heat up.
