Club World Cup champions Chelsea begin their pre-season preparations with a game against German side Bayer Leverkusen next month.
The Blues – who defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the Club World Cup final last weekend – will face Leverkusen and Italian side AC Milan at Stamford Bridge, before hosting Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
Enzo Maresca had found himself under pressure from some sections of the Chelsea faithful during the second half of the season but qualification for the Champions League – along with a Europa Conference League triumph and Club World Cup success – may have changed some opinions of the Italian.
Off the pitch, though, it has emerged that one key member of Maresca’s squad isn’t entirely happy.
According to Football Insider, striker Nicolas Jackson is unhappy at Stamford Bridge and is weighing up his future at the club.
Jackson was an unused substitute as Chelsea beat PSG in the Club World Cup final (Photo: Associated Press/Alamy)
Chelsea have signed forwards Liam Delap and Joao Pedro so far this summer, with both players impressing at the Club World Cup in the United States.
Delap scored against ES Tunis in the group stages, while Pedro netted a brace on his first start as Chelsea cruised past Fluminense in the semis, before also netting in the final.
Jackson, meanwhile, was sent off as Maresca’s side slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Brazilian side Flamengo in the group stages.
The 24-year-old joined Chelsea from Spanish side Villarreal in 2023 and has since scored 30 goals in 81 games for the club across all competitions.
It is claimed that the Blues are intent on keeping hold of the Senegal international, although they could be tempted to sell him if a suitable offer is tabled.
Fellow Premier League side Aston Villa are said to be interested in the forward, who is under contract until the end of the 2032/33 season.