Terrible news hits Chelsea’s ‘next Kai Havertz’ that has been the case of the club’s 5 winless streak is creating a dilemma for Enzo Maresca and has been tipped for a potential January exit

Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has recently been compared to former Blues player Kai Havertz following the team’s ongoing struggles in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca’s squad extended their winless streak to five matches after managing a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday night. The equalizer, scored by Reece James in the closing moments of the game, was the only saving grace for Chelsea.

Jackson, who has scored nine goals this season, has been unable to find the back of the net since Chelsea’s last league win against Brentford on December 15. While he contributed an assist for Cole Palmer’s opening goal at Stamford Bridge, he failed to capitalize on a crucial chance later in the game, sending his shot over the bar.

The 22-year-old also missed another important opportunity in the first half, when his header was saved by Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers, and his subsequent attempt hit the side-netting. Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has now expressed concern about Jackson’s lack of consistency, highlighting it as a potential issue for Maresca. Chelsea currently sits in fourth place in the Premier League standings.

“Nicolas Jackson has had more good moments than bad this season,” Burley remarked during an interview with ESPN. “However, I see him as a player—much like Kai Havertz at Arsenal—who might perform better as an impact substitute or in cup matches rather than as a regular starter.

“To compete at the highest level, Chelsea needs a top-quality No.9. Jackson can be a solid backup option, but strengthening that position will likely be a priority for Maresca in the near future.”

The comparison to Havertz is particularly notable given the Arsenal forward’s own struggles with consistency. Havertz has faced significant criticism this season, especially after missing a key opportunity in Arsenal’s League Cup loss to Newcastle and failing to convert a penalty during their FA Cup shootout defeat to Manchester United. These struggles echo his time at Chelsea, where he scored just 32 goals in 139 appearances despite playing a pivotal role in their 2020 Champions League victory. Havertz was eventually sold to Arsenal for £65 million.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are reportedly interested in Bayern Munich’s young striker Mathys Tel as they explore options to improve their attacking lineup. Burley believes that while Jackson has shown progress compared to last season, he is far from being the dominant striker Chelsea needs.

“At one point, the club might have hoped Christopher Nkunku would step into that role, but it doesn’t appear to be working out as expected,” Burley explained. “Top teams that aim to win titles all rely on an elite forward, and while Jackson has been decent, he’s not the solution.”

This season, Chelsea has largely depended on Cole Palmer for goals, with the England international netting 14 times in the Premier League. Following him is winger Noni Madueke, who is the team’s third-highest scorer with just five goals, underscoring the club’s pressing need for a more prolific striker.