Xabi Alonso hasn’t officially started his Chelsea job yet, but he’s already doing homework. The incoming head coach is keeping close tabs on Nicolas Jackson’s performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the striker is representing Senegal.
The Jackson question
Nicolas Jackson returns to Chelsea this summer carrying a mixed bag from his nine-month loan spell at Bayern Munich. Eight goals in 23 appearances across the Bundesliga is decent, but it’s not the kind of haul that screams “undisputed starter.”
Jackson’s contract with Chelsea runs all the way through 2033, which gives the club an almost absurd amount of leverage when it comes to future decisions about his role.
What makes the World Cup evaluation particularly valuable is that it offers something a training ground session simply can’t: high-pressure competitive football against elite opposition. Jackson isn’t just knocking the ball around in a friendly. He’s performing on the biggest stage in the sport, where every touch gets dissected by millions.
