It is a shame that Nicolas Jackson left Chelsea on loan last summer, as Liam Delap could have learnt a lot from him.
Delap’s arrival is one reason why Jackson departed the club in the first place, with the 24-year-old clearly not fancying competition from both him and Joao Pedro.
Jackson joined Bayern Munich on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy, though certain conditions need to be met before that obligation is triggered.
Nicolas Jackson could be an option for Chelsea again next season! 👀
Nicolas Jackson, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Emanuel Emegha
Photo by S. Mellar/FC Bayern/Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/George Wood/Mikolaj Barbanell/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
That is not going to happen, meaning that Chelsea may have to sell Jackson to another club in the summer. Delap does not need the Senegal international physically in the Blues’ squad to learn from him, though.
Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson shake hands during Chelsea FC v Los Angeles Football Club: Group D - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Liam Delap needs to emulate Nicolas Jackson’s hold-up play
Romeo Lavia has been using virtual reality to improve his game while being out injured, so there is no reason why Delap cannot use technology to refine himself either.
Assessing Delap’s performances this season, if the 23-year-old is going to be playing for a club like Chelsea, then his hold-up play and all-round game have to get better.
Jackson was often criticised for his finishing during his first two years at Chelsea; however, what could not be knocked was his hold-up and link-up play.
Jackson was so good at protecting the ball, turning and then either dribbling at the defence or playing off Cole Palmer.
Paul Merson thinks Palmer is missing Jackson because of that. Delap has just not been able to do the above, with the England Under-21 international often losing the ball before committing a needless foul.
One Chelsea fan on TalkingPoints does not think Delap has the pace for Premier League football. But if you are Liam Rosenior, you have to be more concerned about how the ball does not stick to the centre-forward long enough.
This is so harsh on Delap! 😭
TalkingPoints user on Liam Delap
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Watch a few videos of Jackson, and maybe Delap can spot something that can help him improve there.
If the former Ipswich Town man cannot do that, it is hard to see how he is going to survive at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea already being linked with other strikers.
Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap of Chelsea during a training session
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson could be teammates again next season
While Chelsea could part ways with Jackson permanently in the next transfer window, there is also a possibility of him remaining in west London.
Jackson returning to Chelsea and staying in Rosenior’s squad is not being ruled out. More competition for Delap, but it would also represent an opportunity for him to learn from the ex-Villarreal star.
If Delap already had Jackson’s hold-up play, he would be enjoying a much better season than he is right now.
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