Enzo Maresca U-turn could prove to be £65m error – 'He can come back to haunt Chelsea'

Enzo Maresca has been warned that his willingness to offload Nicolas Jackson represents a costly error, with the Chelsea manager cautioned his decision could come back to bite him.

Jackson has been made available for transfer this summer following the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, with the pair having jumped ahead of the Senegal international in the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Whilst Maresca originally acknowledged that Chelsea's attacking recruitment was designed to increase competition for the striker, the Italian has subsequently had a change of heartby telling Jackson his time in west London is over.

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Having netted 30 times in 81 outings across all competitions during his two campaigns at Chelsea, Jackson – who reportedly carries a £65million price tag – has no shortage of admirers, with Aston Villa and Newcastle understood to be monitoring his situation.

Although he hasn't developed into a frontman that Chelsea supporters can rely upon to spearhead their charge for a first Premier League crown since the 2016/17 campaign, Jackson has reached double figures in both his seasons in England, reports the Mirror.

His deal also remarkably extends until 2033, having been prolonged last September. At just 24 years old, Jackson has an admirer in Paul Merson, who believes his qualities of speed and movement would suit St. James' Park perfectly.

"I like him," the Arsenal legend commented on Sky Sports. "He's a bit messy and sometimes he'll go through and his touch will be poor, but I'd love to play with him.

"The position I used to play, I love players like that who want to run that way [forwards]. They open the game up. If he can get to Aston Villa or a Newcastle, I'd buy him all day long. I would buy him.

"Newcastle have got a lot of pace and then you can get Bruno [Guimaraes] and [Sandro] Tonali, people like that, on the ball. He's willing, I like him Even though he's a little bit messy."

Merson – who is a lifelong Chelsea supporter – thinks Jackson's relentless approach poses problems for most defenders and confessed his surprise at Maresca's apparent readiness to let the striker depart.

"He needs a little bit more coaching, but he's got the potential... I don't think there would be too many centre-backs going, 'That was easy', because he gives you a hard time and he's always willing to run," the former England international continued.

"I'm pretty shocked with Chelsea. I thought he made Palmer and Palmer made Jackson, I thought they worked as a real pair and stretched the game and it got Palmer on the ball and let him do his stuff.

"I know we're only one game in but, all of a sudden, Palmer's going further and further back to get the ball and you don't want him there. You want him around the box where he can weave his magic because he has the X-factor.

"I don't think this is a great move for Chelsea at all. I think so [they're making a mistake]. In my opinion, I think Jackson could come back to haunt them, that could be a worry for me.

"If he went to a Newcastle or a Villa, I think he could come back and haunt Chelsea by scoring a few goals because, as I say, he's willing to run and playing where I played as a No. 10 or in midfield, I'd have loved to have played with Jackson."

Jackson has been omitted from the matchday squad for Chelsea's first two Premier League encounters, and with fewer than 10 days remaining in the transfer window, his destiny must be resolved imminently.