{"id":1546,"date":"2026-08-18T21:38:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T21:38:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1546"},"modified":"2026-08-18T21:38:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T21:38:34","slug":"chelsea-fans-pick-the-striker-they-would-rather-keep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1546","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea fans pick the striker they would rather keep"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Following the additions of Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha, and the return of Nicolas Jackson from his loan at Bayern Munich, Xabi Alonso has six Chelsea strikers to choose from.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With Joao Pedro the undisputed first-choice option, Welbeck is expected to provide cover for his old Brighton teammate. It has been decided that Liam Delap and Marc Guiu will be allowed to leave.<\/p>\n

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How many goals will Emanuel Emegha score for Chelsea next season?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Chelsea want a combined \u00a375m for Guiu and Delap<\/a> \u2013 \u00a350m for the former Ipswich man and the rest for Guiu. While there is interest, no bids have surfaced for the duo. That leaves Emegha<\/a> and Jackson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Emegha has joined from Strasbourg this summer, after a deal was agreed prior to Xabi Alonso\u2019s<\/a> arrival. Jackson has returned after providing back-up for Harry Kane at Bayern Munich during 2025-26.<\/p>\n

Chelsea make key decision between Emegha and Jackson<\/h2>\n

Having four players for one position in the team, especially without European competition, is obviously too much depth. Alonso is intent on using three strikers and selling three before the summer deadline.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Ezra Shaw \u2013 FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pedro and Welbeck are two of the three being kept; Guiu and Delap are two of the three departing. The Blues have now made a decision on a third-choice option, between newbie Emegha and oldie Jackson.<\/p>\n

According to reports, new signing Emegha will be given a chance to show why Chelsea have signed him<\/a>. Jackson will be allowed to leave if interested parties, such as Aston Villa, pay his \u00a365m asking price<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Chelsea fans discuss Emegha and Jackson decision<\/h2>\n

For many, Jackson has been the obvious choice. Emegha\u2019s behaviour in front of Strasbourg fans towards the end of 2025-26 has worried fans. Emegha failed to go on tour due to an injury picked up at home.<\/p>\n

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Nicolas Jackson can thrive under Xabi Alonso \ud83d\udd25<\/h3>\n

He was a threat for Senegal against France!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Jackson went on tour, but the Senegal star struggled to get much game time after linking up with the squad late, having represented his country at the World Cup. Chelsea fans have made their choice known.<\/p>\n

Between the two, the majority would rather Chelsea keep Jackson in the current squad and allow Emegha to leave \u2013 despite Emegha failing to make his competitive debut for the Blues since his arrival in London.<\/p>\n

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Jackson is better and less injury prone than this guy. Chelsea are funny<\/p>\n

\u2014 KeepingItABuck50 (@ARAkickz) August 18, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

One accused BlueCo of preferring a profit on Jackson, rather than picking the better player. He posted: \u201cBlueCo haven\u2019t changed one bit. They care more about Jackson profit than on-the-pitch performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another said Emegha is \u201cnowhere near Jackson\u2019s level\u201d, and it\u2019s an \u201cunserious move\u201d, while one vented his frustration by claiming Chelsea are \u201ckeeping a worse version of Jackson\u201d. Their message is clear.<\/p>\n

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FAAAAAAHHHHH, I’d much rather Keep Jackson. The devil you don’t know is worse than the devil you do \ud83d\ude2d.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Nox D\u00e9sir\u00e9e (@TyrannicalTea) August 18, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Why Chelsea decision to keep Emegha over Jackson is a surprise<\/h2>\n

What is perhaps surprising about the decision is twofold. One, Jackson is a better player for Cole Palmer. It has been something widely believed for a while. Paul Merson has suggested as much in his analysis.<\/p>\n

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\"Emanuel<\/div>
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Secondly, Chelsea and Alonso believe Jackson can operate as a left-sided winger<\/a>. Against Johor Darul Ta\u2019zim, Jackson even played in the 10 behind Delap. Jackson is a whole lot more versatile than Emegha.<\/p>\n

But the move is quite clear; Chelsea are choosing Emegha over Jackson because they can sell Jackson for more cash. If Emegha were to leave, the chances are it would only be on loan to begin with.<\/p>\n

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