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By Martin Graham | 14th Feb 2025
Chelsea’s progress under Enzo Maresca has been severely disrupted over the past month and a half, and their struggles have only intensified following Nicolas Jackson’s latest setback.
The team’s primary striker has been ruled out until after the March international break due to a serious hamstring injury sustained in early February. With 19-year-old Marc Guiu also sidelined, the Blues are short on options in the center-forward position.
Despite recent difficulties, Chelsea remain in contention for a Champions League spot and are among the favorites to claim the UEFA Conference League title. However, Jackson’s absence poses a significant challenge, requiring an urgent solution to maintain their momentum.
Christopher Nkunku’s opportunity
With few natural strikers available, Christopher Nkunku appears to be the most viable immediate replacement. Although traditionally not an out-and-out forward, the Frenchman is the closest Chelsea have to a ready-made alternative.
Since arriving in a £52m deal, Nkunku has struggled with injuries and has yet to establish himself as a regular starter. However, when fit, he has demonstrated his ability, contributing 13 goals and four assists across all competitions. His involvement has largely been limited to cup fixtures and substitute appearances due to Jackson’s strong early-season form.
Maresca will likely lean on Nkunku in the coming weeks, with Chelsea set to play five Premier League games before the March international break. While he lacks the pace and directness of Jackson, Nkunku’s technical ability and intelligent movement could be valuable assets in Chelsea’s attack.
Alternative attacking solutions
If Nkunku fails to deliver in a central role, Maresca could deploy Cole Palmer as a false nine. The 22-year-old has showcased remarkable positional awareness, excelling both as a winger and an attacking midfielder. His creativity and clinical finishing make him a viable option in the absence of a traditional striker.
While untested as a regular center-forward, Palmer has the attributes to succeed in the role. His composure and versatility ensure that he could adapt quickly, providing a short-term fix until Jackson returns.
Another possibility is promoting young talent from within the club. Deivid Washington, currently representing Brazil at the Under-20 South American Championship, is expected to return to Chelsea soon. The former Santos forward has already made three senior appearances and could provide additional depth in attack. Similarly, 17-year-old Shim Mheuka has been prolific at the academy level and could be handed occasional opportunities.
Converting wingers into strikers
Should other solutions prove ineffective, Chelsea could experiment by deploying one of their wingers in a more advanced role. With Mykhailo Mudryk unavailable due to suspension and Joao Felix out on loan, the options are limited to Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, and Jadon Sancho.
Madueke previously enjoyed a successful stint as a center-forward at PSV Eindhoven, registering four goals and four assists in a 12-game spell. Neto has occasionally played centrally for Wolves, albeit with less success. Sancho, meanwhile, has featured as a striker for both Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United, even scoring against Chelsea while leading the line in a 2021 encounter.
Finding a temporary solution will be crucial as Chelsea look to navigate a challenging period without their primary striker. Whether it’s through Nkunku, Palmer, academy prospects, or a converted winger, Maresca must make a decisive call to keep the team’s ambitions alive.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
