Shearer predicts Chelsea will sell £32m signing

Nicolas Jackson’s future at Chelsea is in doubt after the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro (AP)

Alan Shearer believes Chelsea may look to sell Nicolas Jackson after their Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

Chelsea have already bolstered their attacking options this summer with a £30 million deal to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town and a £60m move for Joao Pedro from Brighton last week.

Delap scored his first Chelsea goal against ES Tunis in the Club World Cup group stage, while Pedro has made an immediate impact with his impressive double in the semi-final against Fluminense on Tuesday night.

Jackson, meanwhile, was left on the bench in the 2-1 win against Palmeiras last week, while he angered Cole Palmer after coming on as a second-half substitute during the 2-0 victory Fluminense when he failed to pass to his Chelsea teammate for an easy tap-in.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Jackson as Mikel Arteta is keen to add a new striker to his squad before the end of the summer transfer window.

And Shearer feels Chelsea will be open to a deal for the 24-year-old, who was signed from Villarreal for £32m two years ago.

‘I don’t know, am I playing devil’s advocate here in thinking Jackson may be the one?’ Shearer said on The Rest Is Football podcast.

Joao Pedro scored two goals in his first start for Chelsea at the Club World Cup (Getty)

‘That wouldn’t surprise me if he was sold to someone, whether in our country or not, that’s one that wouldn’t surprise me if they made that decision.

‘They’ve got some serious options in every forward position.’

Shearer also believes Pedro Neto’s performances at the Club World Cup have also earned him a starting spot for the start of Chelsea’s Premier League campaign.

‘Neto, I’m a big fan. He’s been impressive on the pitch as well, even with what he’s had to go through mentally to get through the games,’ Shearer said.

Alan Shearer has been impressed with Pedro Neto at the Club World Cup (Getty)

‘I like how direct he is, how powerful he is running with the ball. He’s someone that I would love to play up front with because I think in terms of being direct and knowing he’s going to get the ball in.

‘For me, he’s one that will and should start.’

Shearer also believes Chelsea will be capable of challenging Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title next season.

Asked if he believes Chelsea have genuine title credentials, Shearer replied: ‘I do, yeah.

‘I don’t think they’re finished in terms of their transfer business. I think there will be more come in and go out as well.

‘Yeah, I do. I think they’ve been very smart in who they are signing and they’ve made some clever ones and I think there will be more.

‘So I think they will [challenge for the Premier League], absolutely. They’ll build on what they’ve achieved this season, Conference League, qualifying for the Champions League and they’ll go again.’

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