Chelsea raked in the best part of £500m from player sales in the summer, after Enzo Fernandez completed a late £125m move to Man City. Nicolas Jackson was the second-biggest sale.

The Blues might have spent more than £300m on new signings, spending just under Fernandez’s fee on Morgan Rogers. But incredibly, Chelsea made a profit on player turnover in the summer window.

Other big sales included Andrey Santos, Marc Cucurella, Liam Delap and new Aston Villa striker Jackson, who cost Villa a huge £65m. The Senegal star has reunited with Unai Emery, his old Villarreal manager.

Jackson has made a blistering start to life at Aston Villa

Jackson would go on to score 30 goals in 81 appearances for Chelsea, and 11 on loan at Bayern Munich as Harry Kane’s back-up. Solid form, but hardly breathtaking. He needed a place to be the main striker.

With Villa selling Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal, Jackson moved to Villa under a manager he knows well to be the main man. It’s paying off, netting five goals in eight appearances in all competitions for Emery’s side.

Nicolas Jackson can thrive under Xabi Alonso 🔥

He was a threat for Senegal against France!

Indeed, Jackson has three goals in two Champions League games after scoring a brace in a massive 6-0 win over Fenerbahce this week. Speaking to Stan Sports after the game, Jackson underlined his delight.

“Yeah, I mean he’s [Emery] an amazing coach, an amazing person as well. Amazing for every player. So, I’m just happy that I’m here and we’re all happy here. Hopefully we fight for him and win games for him.”

Have Chelsea made a mistake selling Nicolas Jackson?

Chelsea bought Jackson for a £32m fee from Villarreal in 2023, but he never really provided consistency in a Chelsea shirt. Coming in and out of the side, unable to last 90 minutes, it felt like a move was needed.

Being a backup to Kane was never going to work. But it allowed Chelsea to maintain his value without using him, having brought in Delap and Joao Pedro last summer. Ultimately, Pedro is the first choice now.

Jackson returned in the summer and played for Chelsea during pre-season, as Alonso took a look at him. But he was never going to overtake Pedro. Chelsea raked in £65m for him, a profit of £33m on Jackson.

It suits all parties. Chelsea got a profit, Villa have got a striker that is firing in the goals, and Jackson now has the stage to finally showcase his talents. Jackson needed to be the main man; his sale isn’t a mistake.