-
Exclusive
- 45 minutes ago
'Chelsea are making a HUGE transfer mistake' says club legend
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 22 Aug 2025 16:18 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has urged his former club to keep Nicolas Jackson at Stamford Bridge this summer.
The Senegal international has fallen down the pecking order due to the summer signings of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, and he is expected to leave the west London giants before the end of Transfer Deadline Day on 1 September.
Current ETV
Nicolas Jackson
F (C)
Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson
F (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€58.6M - €71.7M
Football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and Newcastle United are all eager to finalise a deal for Jackson, with the former currently in advanced talks to sign the 24-year-old.
Unai Emery worked with Jackson during their time together at Villarreal and he is determined to be reunited with the Chelsea star this summer.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca has even admitted that his side would be “happy” if Jackson is sold before the transfer window closes, with the club content with Pedro and Delap as their centre forward options.
However, Chelsea legend Mikel, who made 372 appearances across an 11-year stint at Stamford Bridge, has urged his former club to reconsider their stance on Jackson.
Chelsea receive Nicolas Jackson transfer verdict
Mikel has openly criticised Jackson on a number of occasions during his time at Chelsea, but he believes the Blues would be foolish to sanction a sale.
“I hope he [Jackson] stays because I still think he has a massive part to play this season,” Mikel admitted on his podcast. “He’s a fantastic player, the qualities and what he brings to this football club. I think we need that.”
This opinion has been backed up by former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, who told Sky Sports News: “I like him. He’s a bit messy and sometimes he’ll go through and his touch will be poor, but I’d loved to have played with him.
“I’m pretty shocked with Chelsea. I thought he made Palmer and Palmer made Jackson, I thought they worked as a real pair and stretched the game and it got Palmer on the ball and let him do his stuff.
“I don’t think this is a great move for Chelsea at all. I think so [they’re making a mistake]. In my opinion, I think Jackson could come back to haunt them, that could be a worry for me.”
Football transfer news headlines today
DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Two Chelsea deals TODAY, Baleba Man Utd UPDATE, Isak LATEST
Liverpool 1st, Man Utd 10th: Every Premier League club's transfer window ranked
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
