After Nicolas Jackson’s transfer to Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino will have to make two important transfer decisions.

Given that Mauricio Pochettino is expected to take over as manager, Nicolas Jackson could be among the first players to sign with Chelsea this summer.

The transfer window is open, and Chelsea’s to-do list doesn’t seem to be lacking. A number of midfielders, including Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, appear to be on the verge of leaving the club. They are expected to compete for the services of Moises Caicedo and have been approached about players like Mason Mount and Kai Havertz.

But Chelsea’s search for a striker appears to be one of their most advanced deals. The Blues’ struggles in front of goal have meant a new forward has long been among the club’s top priorities, especially with Romelu Lukaku another player expected to leave in addition to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

According to reports, Nicolas Jackson’s personal terms have already been agreed upon by the Blues, and they are getting ready to trigger his release clause with Villarreal, which is reportedly in the neighborhood of £30 million. It will undoubtedly be a more attractive price than what Napoli would ask for Victor Osimhen, there is little doubt about that.

In what could be considered a breakthrough season, Jackson scored 12 goals in 26 La Liga games for the Yellow Submarine in 2022–23. Even though he is only 21, he is far from perfect and has faced challenges.

Jackson struggled under Unai Emery when given a strict role focused on maintaining the team’s shape and pressing, but was given more freedom under Quique Setien in a system focused on chance creation and was able to use his pace and strength both on and off the ball. The fact that nine of his goals came in his season’s final eight games is telling.

However, it would seem that such a signing would leave Mauricio Pochettino in charge of a number of choices. Jackson, who is only 21 years old, still has much to prove and is capable of taking over as the team’s starter, but it is unclear whether Chelsea plans to sign a different, more seasoned striker. A quick-delivery person is definitely needed by the club.

If the west London club is successful in acquiring the striker, it would be in line with the club’s goals to recruit the top young talent. The first team’s ambition has been made clear through the signings of players like Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Enzo Fernandez, as well as Omari Hutchinson and Cesare Casadei for the development team.

Additionally, Armando Broja and David Datro Fofana will face direct competition as a result. The latter will undoubtedly be evaluated by his new manager, but considering how little he played at the end of the previous campaign, it’s possible that, having joined in January, he would be better suited to a loan.

Broja was acquired by Chelsea on a six-year deal after the transfer window closed in 2022 after Chelsea rejected interest from West Ham last summer. Prior to being forced to miss the rest of the season due to injury sustained during the World Cup break, the forward was a part of the first team setup.

After months of recovery alongside others like Tino Anjorin, Broja is getting ready to return for preseason, and the forward already seems to be attracting some interest. The Cohbam product, like Jackson, is only 21 years old. He scored once in 286 minutes for Southampton last season after tallying nine goals in 2021–2022.