The African Cup of Nations has given countries of that continent the chance to start 2026 in style with the international tournament in the middle of the domestic season.
Chelsea have not been affected by the competition, with none of their players jetting off to represent their countries.
Enzo Maresca will be delighted that he does not have to deal with unavailable players, with injuries already playing a big part in their season so far.
Chelsea’s injury list ahead of Aston Villa
Would you start either of Estevao or Delap against Villa? Or can a better attack be formed…?
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While none of their first team squad are in action, loanee Nicolas Jackson has jetted off to represent Senegal, one of the favourites to win the whole thing.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty ImagesNicolas Jackson is second-most valuable player at AFCON
The striker was clearly out of Maresca’s thinking when the Blues signed Joao Pedro and Liam Delap over the summer, and he eventually got the move to Bayern Munich that has allowed him the chance to compete for a league title.
While he is unavailable to the Blues, there is still plenty of value in Jackson. According to the CIES Football Observatory, he is the second most valuable player by transfer value at the tournament, only beaten by Yankuba Minteh.
The figure of nearly £64m is actually higher than Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who looks set for a big January move to a Premier League side.
The fee will likely be somewhere in Chelsea’s mind when it comes to the end of the season, and they look to find a new permanent home for him.
Would you take Nicolas Jackson back at Chelsea?
🚨🇸🇳 Bayern director Eberl on Nicolas Jackson future: “Signing him on a permanent or not? There’s no tendency yet”, told BILD. pic.twitter.com/VGhYWHoeT3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 16, 2025
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Despite averaging a goal involvement every 90 minutes for Bayern, they’re not yet convinced by Jackson.
541 mins
5 goals
1 assist
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Chelsea back to the drawing board with Jackson
It has already been reported that Bayern Munich are not keen on permanently signing Jackson this summer, with him not being able to really establish himself this season.
This will leave the Blues going back to the drawing board when it comes to finding a side to take him off their hands.
Reports have stated that Premier League sides are interested in Jackson, and he has already shown he can make a real impact in England.
For now though, he will be looking to make an impact on the international stage, after putting an end to his Senegal drought of late.
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