Chelsea could have to make big attacking decisions in the summer transfer window, with one of their senior strikers potentially leaving the club permanently.
According to The Athletic, the Blues could allow Liam Delap or Nicholas Jackson to leave if a suitable offer is received.
That’s not a huge shock, especially given how congested Chelsea’s front line was last year.
Delap only joined from Ipswich Town in 2025 after Chelsea activated his £30m release clause.
The move made sense as he was young, powerful and already had Premier League experience.
However, Chelsea continued to rebuild their attack, which inevitably led to uncertainty in game time.
Competition has changed things for Chelsea.
The biggest problem is that Chelsea no longer appear to be short on options. Joao Pedro joins from Brighton, adding another versatile forward to the squad.
Since then, he has become a key figure in the attack, with Chelsea’s official website highlighting his strong first season at Stamford Bridge.
As a result, Chelsea are in a difficult situation. Delap still has long-term potential, but he needs regular time to develop.
Jackson, on the other hand, provides pace, pressing, and unpredictability, but his finishing and consistency are questionable at times.
Smart sale could help rebuild Stamford Bridge
Jackson played for Bayern Munich on a season-long loan, but the German giants decided not to sign him permanently.
He will return to Stamford Bridge, but it is difficult to see him being part of new manager Xabi Alonso’s plans for his future at the club.
From Chelsea’s perspective, this feels more like team management than panic.
The club has spent heavily in recent years, so selling a striker could free up space, raise funds and make the squad easier to manage.
The smarter choice would depend on the offer. If a Premier League club is keen on signing Delap, Chelsea may consider signing him while his value remains solid.
If interest in Jackson grows, his experience and profile could bring him a big payday.
Either way, this summer will tell us a lot about how Chelsea truly view their long-term attack.
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