31 January 2024 , 11:39
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Mauricio Pochettino head into Chelsea's clash with Liverpool with his fingers crossed.
The Blues boss hoped for one arrival in time for the trip to Anfield with less than 48 hours before the transfer window shuts. Unfortunately for many, that was not in the shape of a new signing but the possibility of Nicolas Jackson's return.
The Senegal forward saw his side knocked out of AFCON contention against hosts Ivory Coast on Monday evening but was set to be afforded little time to rest. Pochettino is pushed for the young forward to be in his squad on Wednesday night but only arrived in Dakar on Tuesday evening.
Pochettino said ahead of the game against Liverpool: "We are seeing [if it is possible]. Maybe it will happen. If it means we have a one per cent more chance to win the game, for sure, we will try it.
"We are waiting. All I can say is that maybe he will be there. The other day, Ghana lost and were out, and Inaki Williams arrived a few hours before and played in the second half to beat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. Why can’t Jackson arrive and score the winning goal?”
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With uncertainty over Armando Broja's future heading into the latter stages of the window, it is perhaps little surprise that Pochettino was keen to see Jackson return. The Albania international has drawn interest from Wolves and Fulham with the former seeing a loan proposal rejected.
The Blues would be open to a move should the right fee arrive however and harness their own ambitions of landing a striker. The likes of Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney have been of interest.
Armando Broja of Chelsea celebrates his team's first goal during the Carabao Cup Semi Final (Darren Walsh)Chelsea intended to either add an elite level striker in January or the in the coming summer, unless their current crop of forwards produce a similar productivity. That has yet to bear to fruition with Christopher Nkunku only once again returning from injury for the clash against Liverpool, while Broja has been in and out of the starting lineup.
It leaves little room for interpretation of what could occur in the summer, even with six months for the squad to prove itself.
Pochettino's willingness to welcome Jackson back so quickly signals both how light the west London side have been up front and the uncertainty around Broja. The former PSG boss says the team have missed the 22-year-old former Villarreal star.
He explained: "We miss this aggressivity that he provides in front, he runs a lot, the effort is massive and he helps the team to press high, recover and then to score goals because also he is scoring goals. He has a good record at the moment.
"I think we miss him a lot and now, yes, happy in some way because we can recover him and the other side, of course, is sad because they lost. But selfishly, I am happy because maybe tomorrow he can be with us."
It has been a quiet month for Chelsea, who in great contrast to 12 months ago have not made a signing. They have welcomed back the likes of Cesare Casadei, Zak Sturge, Andrey Santos and Teddy Sharman-Lowe from loan spells. Perhaps some of that group could head out again, or other development stars such as Dylan Williams.
Sales appear more likely than any incoming move. Broja's situation will be watched carefully with Fulham losing Raul Jimenez to injury on Tuesday evening, though the prospect of the Cottagers making a deal this month also seems unlikely. The likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Conor Gallagher may be available too, at the right price. Clubs have been unwilling to meet the asking fee of any of the trio previously, despite Chelsea being open to deals in which they can realise pure profit.
(Nigel Keene/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)"We are quiet, the market is quiet and of course, we are excited for tomorrow, the game," said Pochettino on Tuesday. A period of stability will have it's benefits for a Chelsea side still learning about itself.
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The Blues, due to injury issues, still don't know all the qualities they possess in the likes of Nkunku, Romeo Lavia and others. However, with loan deals still possible, and the club being willing to sell there is sure to be plenty of speculation in the final hours of the window.