Arsenal icon Paul Merson has handed incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso a definitive piece of transfer advice as the Spanish tactician prepares to take the reins at Stamford Bridge.
Following a tumultuous season where the Blues officially failed to secure UEFA Champions League qualification, a massive summer squad overhaul is expected. Alonso, who arrives with a stellar reputation after his historic managerial feats in Europe, faces the immediate task of reviving the West London club’s fortunes.
According to Merson, Alonso’s very first piece of business should not involve spending hundreds of millions on new signings—but rather reversing a major decision made by the previous regime.
“Bring Him Back” — Merson Demands Nicolas Jackson’s Return
Speaking on the latest episode of The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Merson passionately argued that Chelsea must urgently recall striker Nicolas Jackson from his current loan spell at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Merson believes that Alonso possesses the elite managerial pedigree required to unite the Stamford Bridge faithful, but emphasizes that the squad needs a ruthless clear-out and immediate firepower upfront to compete next season.
“Chelsea need a manager who the fans are grateful that he’s managing Chelsea, and they have got that now with Xabi Alonso because he’s a top manager,” Merson stated during the podcast.
“They need players, and they need a clear-out. I would get Nicolas Jackson back, I would rip Jackson back,” he insisted.
The Striker Dilemma Awaiting Alonso
Chelsea’s decision to loan Jackson to Bayern Munich left the Blues heavily short of natural focal points in the final third last season. While Jackson enjoyed a productive campaign in Germany under the heavy pressure of the Bundesliga spotlight, Chelsea’s frontline struggled significantly for consistency.
With Alonso’s tactical system heavily relying on mobile, hard-working forwards who can stretch opposing lines, Merson insists that reintegrating Jackson into the Chelsea starting eleven is a no-brainer.
As Alonso finalizes his backroom staff and assesses the current roster, managing Jackson’s loan clause situation will undoubtedly be at the very top of his summer agenda.
