Chelsea could have £115million worth of centre-forwards fighting for uncertain futures just days before Xabi Alonso takes charge of his first Premier League game.
Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson remain Chelsea players, but the latest developments around Alonso’s squad provide an increasingly clear indication of where both stand.
The Times reports that Delap could leave for £50m and Jackson is valued at £65m, putting their combined asking prices at £115m.
Both are currently working outside Alonso’s main training cohort, although Chelsea have stressed that the separate group contains players in several different circumstances and should not simply be viewed as a collection of unwanted players.
Liam Delap has lost the No9 shirt at Chelsea and is among a group of players who are training separately from the rest of the first team. The group also includes Tosin Adarabioyo and Nicolas Jackson @peterrutzler reports 🔽 https://t.co/9CSdeZS95d
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) August 19, 2026
Chelsea striker hierarchy suddenly looks much clearer
There is now far more evidence to judge Chelsea’s attacking hierarchy than there was even a week ago.
Chelsea have officially handed Joao Pedro the No.9 shirt, moving Delap to No.12.
It follows another significant decision involving the Brazilian.
ReadChelsea reported that Chelsea handed Joao Pedro improved terms despite already having him tied to a long-term contract.
Then there is Emmanuel Emegha.
Chelsea have decided Emegha will remain in Alonso’s first-team squad after uncertainty earlier this summer over whether he could head elsewhere.
Put those decisions together and Pedro is clearly being treated as a central part of the project, while Emegha has been given a place in the squad.
Delap and Jackson remain significantly less certain.
£115m valuations could make Chelsea exits difficult
Chelsea’s problem is not necessarily finding clubs interested in their strikers.
It is turning that interest into offers matching their valuations.
Napoli have already asked for information about Jackson, while Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa have also been linked with the Senegal international.
Yet no club has completed a deal.
The same challenge applies to Delap. Chelsea may be prepared to sell, but a £50m valuation represents a considerable increase on the £30m they paid Ipswich Town last summer.
Holding firm could eventually maximise Chelsea’s return.
It could equally leave Alonso beginning the season with two expensive strikers whose places in his preferred attacking group appear uncertain.
Chelsea’s opening Premier League fixture against Fulham arrives on Monday.
By then, the transfer window will still have time to run, but Alonso’s attacking choices are beginning to look much less ambiguous than the size of Chelsea’s squad suggests.
Pedro has the No.9 shirt. Emegha has been retained.
Chelsea must now decide whether £115m of valuations can actually become £115m of sales.
Chelsea leave £25m-rated striker without squad number as exit beckons
Chelsea leave £25m-rated striker without squad number as exit beckons
Chelsea strip £50m Liam Delap of No 9 as exit pressure grows
Chelsea strip £50m Liam Delap of No 9 as exit pressure grows