Enzo Maresca confirms Nicolas Jackson is 'signing a new contract' at Chelsea as he breaks silence on failed Victor Osimhen transfer pursuit after disappointing Crystal Palace draw

Maresca's start to his Chelsea career has been inconsistent as the Blues have won, drawn and lost one game each in the Premier League. However, Jackson has been performing much better under the Italian, and scored in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday. After the game, Maresca confirmed that the striker is set to sign a contract extension at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to the media, Maresca said: "The only thing I know is he's signing a new contract - I don't know how many years.

"I'm very happy. Nicolas is doing a fantastic job with us. He scored again. He had more chances but we're happy with him."

Chelsea were very active in the transfer window and had been looking to sign a striker over the summer. The Blues had been linked heavily with a move for Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Brentford's Ivan Toney. However, they failed to sign either player, with Toney moving to Napoli and Osimhen left in limbo at Napoli. Maresca added: "I had faith, and the club also, even before [in Jackson]. We trust Nicolas. When the transfer window was open, I said he was doing fantastic with us."

When asked about Osimhen's failed deadline day move, Maresca said: "We want players but we wanted a player that we decide. It has to be on our conditions. If a player is not here then it was not.

"We will see in January."

The striker will now have some time away from Chelsea as he joins the Senegalese national team for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Burkina Faso and Burundi.