Chelsea make decision on selling Nicolas Jackson after leaving Enzo Maresca red-faced

Chelsea are reportedly open to selling Nicolas Jackson after his nightmare cameo in their Club World Cup defeat to Flamengo. Enzo Maresca brought him off the bench in the second half, replacing Liam Delap as the Blues' main striker. It turned out to be an awful decision, with Jackson only lasting four minutes before he was given his marching orders.

A reckless challenge on Flamengo defender Ayrton Lucas left the referee with little choice but to brandish his red card. Jackson was heavily criticised after the final whistle, with former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel branding him 'stupid' in a furious rant. Now, it has emerged that Jackson could soon leave Stamford Bridge with two Italian clubs thought to be circling.

He is 'no longer untouchable' at Chelsea and the west Londoners are open to cashing in on his signature, according to Sky Sport Italia. It is claimed that senior figures are 'considering a future without' Jackson after Juventus and Napoli registered their interest.

Both clubs are said to have reached out to Jackson's representatives to gauge his interest in moving to Serie A. They have asked to be kept informed about the player's situation, with his future in the Premier League seemingly uncertain.

The report adds that Juventus are currently ahead of Napoli in the race to sign Jackson, who joined Chelsea from Villarreal in the summer of 2023.

Napoli are said to be eyeing several other attacking targets, including Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez and Udinese marksman Lorenzo Lucca. As a result, a concrete move for Jackson is more likely to come from Juventus.

Only time will tell if Jackson ends up leaving Chelsea over the coming weeks, with the 24-year-old having already issued a public apology for his red card against Flamengo.

On social media, he wrote: "To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. Another red card... and honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation.

"I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a football moment that went the wrong way.

"No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry."

Maresca, meanwhile, took a diplomatic approach when asked if Jackson's lack of discipline could see him permanently benched in favour of Delap.

"No, the red card has nothing to do with Nico's future," said the Chelsea boss. "He had the first one against Newcastle when Liam was not even here and another one [against Flamengo].

"I'm not sure that it's 100 per cent a red card, but the referee decided for that and Nico knows very well that in both situations [it] was not something good for the team."