Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Following the additions of Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha, and the return of Nicolas Jackson from his loan at Bayern Munich, Xabi Alonso has six Chelsea strikers to choose from.
With Joao Pedro the undisputed first-choice option, Welbeck is expected to provide cover for his old Brighton teammate. It has been decided that Liam Delap and Marc Guiu will be allowed to leave.
Emanuel Emegha reacts during Strasbourg vs Marseille
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Chelsea want a combined £75m for Guiu and Delap – £50m for the former Ipswich man and the rest for Guiu. While there is interest, no bids have surfaced for the duo. That leaves Emegha and Jackson.
Emegha has joined from Strasbourg this summer, after a deal was agreed prior to Xabi Alonso’s arrival. Jackson has returned after providing back-up for Harry Kane at Bayern Munich during 2025-26.
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Chelsea make key decision between Emegha and Jackson
Having four players for one position in the team, especially without European competition, is obviously too much depth. Alonso is intent on using three strikers and selling three before the summer deadline.
Senegal v Iraq: Group I - FIFA World Cup 2026
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Pedro and Welbeck are two of the three being kept; Guiu and Delap are two of the three departing. The Blues have now made a decision on a third-choice option, between newbie Emegha and oldie Jackson.
According to reports, new signing Emegha will be given a chance to show why Chelsea have signed him. Jackson will be allowed to leave if interested parties, such as Aston Villa, pay his £65m asking price.
Chelsea fans discuss Emegha and Jackson decision
For many, Jackson has been the obvious choice. Emegha’s behaviour in front of Strasbourg fans towards the end of 2025-26 has worried fans. Emegha failed to go on tour due to an injury picked up at home.
Jackson went on tour, but the Senegal star struggled to get much game time after linking up with the squad late, having represented his country at the World Cup. Chelsea fans have made their choice known.
Between the two, the majority would rather Chelsea keep Jackson in the current squad and allow Emegha to leave – despite Emegha failing to make his competitive debut for the Blues since his arrival in London.
One accused BlueCo of preferring a profit on Jackson, rather than picking the better player. He posted: “BlueCo haven’t changed one bit. They care more about Jackson profit than on-the-pitch performance.”
Another said Emegha is “nowhere near Jackson’s level”, and it’s an “unserious move”, while one vented his frustration by claiming Chelsea are “keeping a worse version of Jackson”. Their message is clear.
Why Chelsea decision to keep Emegha over Jackson is a surprise
What is perhaps surprising about the decision is twofold. One, Jackson is a better player for Cole Palmer. It has been something widely believed for a while. Paul Merson has suggested as much in his analysis.
Emanuel Emegha of Netherlands on international duty
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Secondly, Chelsea and Alonso believe Jackson can operate as a left-sided winger. Against Johor Darul Ta’zim, Jackson even played in the 10 behind Delap. Jackson is a whole lot more versatile than Emegha.
But the move is quite clear; Chelsea are choosing Emegha over Jackson because they can sell Jackson for more cash. If Emegha were to leave, the chances are it would only be on loan to begin with.