Report – Key Chelsea man ruled out for over a month with injury | OneFootball

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has been ruled out until after the next international break at the end of March, according to reports.

The Telegraph report that the Blues forward is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

He was forced off during Chelsea’s win over West Ham earlier this month with what looked to be a hamstring injury and is now set to be out until after the international break, the weekend of March 21-22 2025.

It is a further blow for boss Enzo Marecsa, having also lost striker Marc Guiu to a long-term injury recently.

The absence of the duo means Maresca is without a proper centre-forward.

Christopher Nkunku has played up top often this season but is seen as more of a number ten.

Jackson has been on something of a goal drought of late, having not scored in the last eight Premier League games.

But he has netted nine times in 24 games in all competitions for the club this season and after his side’s FA Cup defeat to Brighton, Maresca stressed the importance of Jackson.

“Sometimes I think you need to play some games without players to realise how important they are,” he said.

“Off the ball, his pressing is always very good and on the ball he is a threat always.”

How can Maresca deal with Jackson’s absence?

Nkunku appears the most likely to fill in for Jackson while he is out injured. The Frenchman has found it difficult playing as the main striker at times but has shown glimpses of what he can provide, scoring just twice in the Premier League this season.

After staying put in January, Maresca also suggested Nkunku will be set for a bigger role in the remainder of the season.

“For sure, for sure… Against West Ham he played more or less half an hour. Hopefully from now on he can get more minutes and help us,” he said.

Another option is playing Cole Palmer up top in a false-nine type role, which he has featured in before.

Chelsea are without Joao Felix, however, having let the Portugal international join AC Milan in January.