'Bring whoever you want!' - Nicolas Jackson told to challenge Chelsea over Victor Osimhen transfer interest as young Blues forward finally finds feet at Stamford Bridge

Jackson has scored eight Premier League goals in 13 appearances for the Blues in the 2024-25 campaign, and has been one of the club's best players this season. However, despite the striker cementing his place as the team's first-choice No.9, Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move for Napoli loanee Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian striker is currently on loan at Galatasaray and has taken the Turkish league by storm after scoring nine goals in 12 appearances.

Former Blues forward and Uruguay international Gus Poyet heaped praise on the Senegalese striker as he spoke on how the youngster has improved in stature since his debut in the Premier League last summer. Indeed, he is undoubtedly the club's first-choice striker now, although talk of Osimhen arriving, given his reputation as one of the top marksmen in Europe, isn't likely to sit well with the former Villarreal forward.

Speaking to BetVictor, Poyet said: "I absolutely loved him in Spain, I think he was impressive. Again, he came to a club where it was 50/50. A striker needs a team to play well for him to go and finish, which is very important. He scored a lot last year, the problem was that Chelsea weren't doing well and people thought he didn't score enough. Again, the team has settled and he's taken advantage of that.

"Competition for place up front with a new signing? If I were him, I would say 'bring whoever you want'. I'm here every weekend. Now is he going to score a hat-trick against Spurs again? It's difficult, and that game last year was so unique with the high line."

Maresca's men, who are unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions and thrashed Southampton 5-1 in the midweek, will be next seen in action this Sunday as they take on city rivals Tottenham. Jackson, who missed the win at St Mary's, is likely to return to the starting XI.