Chelsea’s decision not to sign an established striker this summer was always as gamble.
After Nicolas Jackson missed a sitter in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest, Mauricio Pochettino must already fear that move could backfire.
Jackson provided an early miss-of-the-season contender when he somehow lifted the ball over the crossbar from four yards out, with the goal gaping.
The miss cost Chelsea, who were booed off by home fans after a goal from Anthony Elanga gave Forest a shock win and means the Blues are already losing ground on their rivals.
Jackson is an exciting talent but not a reliable goal threat and, after spending £1billion on transfers since Todd Boehly and Clearlake took over last summer, Chelsea could end up having to buy a striker in January.
Chelsea did consider signing another striker in the final weeks of the window, but instead opted to buy versatile forward Cole Palmer in a £42.5million deal from Manchester City. Brentford’s Ivan Toney is under consideration as a potential January target but, for now, Chelsea must find goal solutions from within their squad.
Pochettino is set to keep faith in Jackson, while Palmer looked lively on his debut. Deivid Washington, an 18-year-old signed from Santos this summer, was on the bench, but he is another raw talent and Pochettino did not turn to him when the Blues needed a goal.
Christopher Nkunku is likely to be out until at least November, but Armando Broja will provide a goal threat when he returns to full fitness following his serious knee injury last season.
