Nicolas Jackson woes expose huge Chelsea transfer window problem

Chelsea are heading into the summer transfer window with more problems that remain unsolved.

When Todd Boehly was splashing the cash at the start of the season, the hope was that the Blues' manager Mauricio Pochettino would be set for at least a year. However, the reality on the pitch has been different.

While the signing of Cole Palmer from Manchester City has been inspired, other new recruits have failed to reach the lofty standards expected of them. With so much money spent and Financial Fair Play (FFP) worries lurking over them, the Blues will need to be wise about where they invest.

Unfortunately, the area that perhaps needs addressing the most is also where the biggest funds are normally spent. Nicolas Jackson arrived at the club last season having scored 13 goals in all competitions for Villarreal last season.

A respectable tally for his age, but not a figure which screamed that he would become a goal machine, leading centre-forward in the Premier League. He has already matched last season's tally but the amount of chances he has squandered suggests he is not in the position to be considered an elite striker which Chelsea needs to move up the table.

Since the FA Cup semi-final defeat to City, both Frank Lampard and William Gallas have expressed issues with the striker. Gallas even went as far as to suggest Jackson must be replaced in the summer.

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Sadly for the Chelsea transfer budget, the ex-centre-back is correct. Those wishing to push for the Champions League and Premier League title need a reliable goal threat and while Palmer is providing that at present, he needs others to support him.

The money associated with those players can be astronomical. Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins is proving to be sharp in front of goal and could prove himself further at the Euros but with the West Midlands club guaranteed at least Europa League football if not Champions League, his price tag will be huge.

Alternatively, Chelsea could delve into the European transfer market and bring Victor Osimhen to the club. He is set to leave Napoli in the summer and would be an ideal purchase but again he won't come cheap.

Signing a consistent goalscorer is one of the hardest tasks a recruitment department can face. Once again it is a challenge that Chelsea seems destined to face this summer.