Chelsea Forwards Jackson and Delap Set for Exit

Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap look set to be moved on by Chelsea before the transfer window closes, with both forwards left out of Xabi Alonso’s squad at the weekend.

Neither striker featured in the 3-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday, a clear signal of where they now sit in the pecking order as speculation around their futures intensifies.

Jackson is back at Chelsea after a season on loan at Bayern Munich, but his return appears to be brief. The Senegal international has attracted serious interest from Aston Villa, and Chelsea are understood to value the 23-year-old at around £65m. For a club reshaping its attack, that is a significant fee and a tempting one.

Delap’s situation looks even more straightforward. After a flat first year at Stamford Bridge, he has effectively been put in the shop window. Two goals in 41 appearances tell the story of a debut campaign that never caught fire, and Chelsea are ready to sanction his departure.

The 23-year-old has admirers abroad, with Italian side Como registering their interest. Delap, though, would rather stay in the Premier League. Everton, Fulham and Nottingham Forest have all been linked with a move for the former Ipswich forward, who cost Chelsea £30m last summer.

According to Sky Sports, both Jackson and Delap are now “likely” to leave before the window shuts, as Alonso trims his options and commits to a clearer attacking structure. The Chelsea head coach is prepared to go forward with Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck as his primary number nine choices.

Two big-money forwards edging towards the exit, a manager sharpening his squad, and a transfer window ticking down. Chelsea’s next move in the market will say plenty about where this rebuild is really heading.