Xabi Alonso could well have Nicolas Jackson available as an option when he gets life as Chelsea manager underway in July.
After spending the 2025/26 season on loan at Bayern Munich, it has become the clear the German champions will not be looking to sign him permanently this summer.
The striker will be present in the Senegal squad for the World Cup this summer, where he and Mamadou Sarr will face off against Malo Gusto’s France.
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Building Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea attack with Nicolas Jackson included
It has been reported that Jackson is open to staying at Chelsea if he is given sufficient minutes in the side, a prospect which has not been ruled out so far by Alonso.
The Spaniard has the opportunity to build a perfect attacking line which includes both Jackson and Joao Pedro, and The Chelsea Chronicle have constructed the ideal front four going into next season.
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We are predicting that Alonso will build his side around Cole Palmer, who is about to enjoy a summer off from competing for the first time since 2022.
The England international suffered with fitness and form last season, ultimately seeing Thomas Tuchel decide not to take him to the World Cup.
Palmer has played both off the right and in the middle, and we are saying Alonso will name Palmer in the number 10 role, where he will be instructed with linking the play together.
On the right, we are naming Estevao Willian, another player whose injury woes have seen him miss out on the World Cup.
It was a very bright first season in European football for the youngster though, showing signs that he will very quickly become a pillar of the Chelsea side.
His abilities on the ball can also lend to him playing in the number 10 role, allowing flexibility with Palmer alongside him.
We are deciding to start Joao Pedro off the left of attack, rather than the number nine role he starred in throughout 2025/26.
Even when he was up front, the former Brighton man had a desire to get on the ball to a point where it actually left Chelsea without a figure up top.
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Flexibility is going to be crucial for Alonso’s attack, and Pedro could easily slot back in up top and swap roles with the man we are starting there.
That is Jackson, whose relationship on the pitch with Cole Palmer was one of the real strong points of a season where Chelsea finished in the top four.
For his shortcomings, the Blues certainly missed a lot of Jackson’s play in attack, and his ability to hold onto the ball and get his teammates involved is clear of Pedro’s.
Chelsea’s gamble on Liam Delap hasn’t paid off, and the club can thankfully easily put things right by reintegrating Jackson for the upcoming campaign.
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