Nicolas Jackson has been deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea by Enzo Maresca, but Premier League pundit Paul Merson believes the Blues boss is making a mistake letting the striker go

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed both Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku remain unavailable for selection heading into the final week of the transfer window, urging the two forwards to find moves away from the club.

The Blues lost Levi Colwill to injury, with youngster Josh Acheampong starting alongside Trevoh Chalobah in the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace

Enzo Maresca hopes Chelsea can improve their conversion rate to aid title hopes - The Blues have spent around £160million on attacking players, all of whom played some part in Sunday’s lacklustre 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.

Chelsea were held to a 0–0 draw at home to Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

CHELSEA manager Enzo Maresca would rather risk a striker crisis than keep unhappy pair Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku. Wantaway forwards Jackson and Nkunku will be left out of the Blues

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was asked about the possibility of signing a new defender beffore the end of the month after the Blues' latest injury issue ahead of their Premier League opener

The Ecuador international has a release clause worth in the region of £52million written into his Bayer Leverkusen contract, meaning that the Blues and Spurs have an opportunity to leave his current employers helpless, but they are running out of time to thrash out negotiations if they choose to up the ante.