Chelsea have suffered a major setback as Nicolas Jackson has been ruled out until at least April after scans confirmed the severity of his hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old striker sustained the injury in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over West Ham on February 4, and despite initial optimism from manager Enzo Maresca, further tests revealed significant damage, forcing him onto the sidelines for at least seven weeks.
Jackson’s absence comes at a crucial point in the season, with Chelsea fighting for European qualification and FA Cup progression.
The Blues will now have to navigate a demanding schedule without a recognized striker, as fellow forward Marc Guiu is also sidelined with an adductor issue.
The Senegalese forward is set to miss at least seven matches, including critical domestic and European fixtures:
Nicolas Jackson Injury: Games Chelsea Striker will miss
Premier League Fixtures
- Brighton (A) – February 16
- Aston Villa (A) – February 22
- Southampton (H) – February 28
- Leicester City (H) – March 9
- Arsenal (H) – March 15
Europa Conference League Fixtures
- Round of 16 First Leg – March 6
- Round of 16 Second Leg – March 13
Jackson is expected to return on April 2, just in time for Chelsea’s crucial Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.
How Jackson’s Absence Affects Chelsea
Despite recent criticism over his goal drought, Nicolas Jackson has been instrumental for Chelsea this season, registering 9 goals and 5 assists across all competitions.
His physical presence, movement, and work rate have made him a key figure in Enzo Maresca’s system.
While some questioned his finishing in recent weeks, his absence was glaringly evident in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
Without a natural striker leading the line, Chelsea struggled to create clear-cut chances, highlighting Jackson’s importance even when he isn’t scoring. Maresca himself acknowledged how much the team missed him, stating:
“Yeah, sometimes I think you need to play games without players to realise how important they are. We said many times about Nico: he is important on and off the ball. Off the ball, his intensity is very good, and on the ball, he is always a threat.”
With Marc Guiu also sidelined, Chelsea are left with limited options up front. Christopher Nkunku, who has yet to convince as a No. 9, is now the club’s only natural striking option, while Cole Palmer may be forced into a false-nine role.
The attacking burden will fall heavily on them in the coming weeks as Chelsea look to navigate a crucial period without their primary striker.
