I don’t think Nicolas Jackson is the type of striker that we should as our main forward. We should go for this amazing African player that is killing it in the Bundesliga. He is going to be an upgrade to Jackson” – This is according to Chelsea legend John Mikel Obi as he advises Chelsea to look into signing a £34 million-rated Bundesliga striker who is seen as an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson and is currently outscoring Harry Kane.

Enzo Maresca has brought a new tactical identity to Chelsea, guiding the team on a seven-game unbeaten streak and positioning them in fourth place in the Premier League standings. His ability to blend strategy with effective player roles has quickly become apparent since he took over as manager.

Maresca typically employs a flexible 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, which transforms into a 3-2-5 shape when Chelsea has possession. This tactical shift involves one of the full-backs, usually Malo Gusto, moving into the midfield to partner with the defensive midfielder. The strategy allows Chelsea to dominate possession and fluidly move the ball, with key players like Cole Palmer thriving in new roles. Palmer, who was predominantly used as a right winger last season, now occupies a central position as the number ten. This positional change has revitalized the England international’s form—he has already scored six goals and contributed five assists in just nine appearances, showcasing his growing importance to the team.

Another key player benefitting from Maresca’s approach is Nicolas Jackson. Although Chelsea considered signing additional strikers during the summer transfer window, Jackson has solidified his position as the club’s first-choice center-forward. Jackson’s rise to prominence at Chelsea is noteworthy, especially considering the weight of expectations that comes with being the club’s main striker.

Jackson’s Growth and Impact

Nicolas Jackson joined Chelsea from Villarreal in the summer of 2023. Chelsea slightly exceeded his release clause of £30.1 million, committing to an eight-year contract with the 23-year-old. Jackson quickly made his mark in his debut season, scoring 17 goals and adding six assists across 44 appearances. For context, Jackson’s numbers even surpassed those of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, who scored 10 goals and provided five assists in his first 26 Premier League appearances. Drogba would go on to have a stellar second season, scoring 16 goals and delivering 16 assists, helping Chelsea to a Premier League title.

Jackson, aware of the pressure such comparisons bring, has approached the 2024/25 season with renewed determination. He has already played in eight matches, scoring four goals and providing three assists in 555 minutes of play. Despite the strong competition from Christopher Nkunku, who has scored seven goals in 11 appearances, Maresca has placed immense trust in Jackson, starting him in all seven Premier League matches this season. Jackson’s hardworking nature and his ability to link up play make him a vital piece of Chelsea’s offensive puzzle. As he continues to build on his total of 21 goals and nine assists in 52 appearances, Chelsea may have a valuable long-term asset on their hands.

However, Chelsea’s interest in the transfer market has not entirely faded. The club is rumored to be monitoring potential striker options for January, with one target making waves in the Bundesliga.

Chelsea’s Potential Striker Target: Omar Marmoush

Reports from Footballville suggest that Chelsea is eyeing Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush as a possible addition to their attacking lineup. The 25-year-old Egyptian forward has impressed this season with nine goals and four assists in nine appearances, totaling 747 minutes of play. Marmoush’s versatility—he can play as a striker, number ten, or left winger—has made him an exciting prospect, and his reported transfer fee is estimated at around €40 million (£33.5 million).

Marmoush has emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s top talents since joining Frankfurt in 2023. He has played in 50 matches for the German side, contributing 26 goals and 12 assists over 3,892 minutes. A product of Egypt’s Wadi Degla academy and the country’s second division, Marmoush has steadily developed his game, gaining experience through stints with Wolfsburg, St. Pauli, and Stuttgart. Wearing the number seven jersey for Frankfurt, Marmoush has been a game-changer with his exceptional 1v1 finishing, tight ball control, and blistering pace, making him a potent threat on counterattacks.

Notably, Marmoush is currently outscoring Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane in the Bundesliga, raising questions about what his potential move to Chelsea would mean for Jackson’s place in the team.

Jackson vs. Marmoush: A Striker Showdown

If Chelsea were to sign Marmoush, the competition between him and Jackson for the starting striker role would create a fascinating dynamic. Statistically, the two players share several similarities. Both excel in channel running, utilizing their speed and physicality to make the most of transitions. They also have a knack for performing well in tight spaces, a trait that enhances their ability to finish or create scoring opportunities.

Physically, Jackson stands at 6 feet 1 inch and has a wiry build, having been trained as a winger early in his career, which adds dribbling skills to his striker repertoire. Marmoush, on the other hand, is slightly shorter at 6 feet and is considered a late bloomer, only recently hitting his stride in top-tier football.

A closer statistical comparison sheds light on their respective strengths:

Although Jackson has had a strong start to the season, Marmoush’s current form is exceptional. Marmoush averages over a goal per 90 minutes and adds nearly an assist per game, while also creating numerous shooting opportunities for himself and teammates. His ability to carry the ball forward and make progressive passes suggests that he could significantly enhance Chelsea’s attacking potential.

If Marmoush does join Chelsea, his competition with Jackson would undoubtedly push both players to raise their performance levels. One of them could even be deployed on the left wing, creating a more dynamic and unpredictable attacking formation. In any case, Maresca’s tactical vision will be key in managing this rivalry and extracting the best from his forwards, ensuring Chelsea remains a serious contender in the Premier League this season.
Enzo Maresca’s tactical evolution at Chelsea has significantly impacted the team’s performance, propelling them into the Premier League’s top four and showcasing a newfound blend of flexibility and fluidity. His adaptable 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, which morphs into a 3-2-5 during possession, exemplifies his strategic acumen. This shape allows Chelsea to control the game by creating overloads in midfield, with Malo Gusto frequently stepping into midfield alongside the defensive midfielder. This tactical shift has maximized the potential of several players, especially Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.

Palmer has thrived in a central number ten role, as opposed to his previous position on the right wing. His stellar return of six goals and five assists in just nine games underscores the success of this positional change. Similarly, Nicolas Jackson has established himself as the first-choice striker, benefitting from Maresca’s trust. Despite Chelsea’s initial intent to explore options for additional strikers, Jackson’s strong form this season—with four goals and three assists—proves he can handle the pressure.

However, with Chelsea linked to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush, competition in the striker position may intensify. Marmoush’s impressive form in the Bundesliga, where he has tallied nine goals and four assists in nine games, makes him an enticing option for Chelsea. His versatility, capable of playing as a striker, number ten, or left winger, would offer Maresca further tactical flexibility.

If Chelsea moves forward with a transfer for Marmoush, a potential rivalry between Jackson and Marmoush for the striker role would likely arise. Both players share similar attributes—speed, physicality, and proficiency in transitions—making it a competitive battle. Marmoush’s superior goal-scoring form and ability to create for teammates could challenge Jackson’s starting spot, though it’s equally possible that Maresca could deploy both in a dynamic forward setup. Either way, this competition would push both forwards to elevate their performances, ensuring Chelsea continues to thrive under Maresca’s tactical vision.