PGMOL has just delivered a heavy blow to Chelsea ahead of their 2025/26 Premier League opener vs Crystal Palace with three other next games after that.

Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson is set to miss the 2025/26 Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 17, 2025, due to a three-game domestic suspension resulting from a red card in a match against Newcastle United in May 2025, according to *football.london*.

This ban, along with his two-match Club World Cup suspension for a studs-first challenge on Flamengo’s Ayrton Lucas, has dealt a setback to manager Enzo Maresca, who is currently reworking Chelsea’s lineup in pursuit of a league title.

In Jackson’s absence, recent addition Liam Delap has capitalized on the opportunity, scoring vital goals in the Club World Cup, including one in a 3-0 victory over Esperance Tunis, positioning himself as a central figure for the new campaign.

At 24 years old, Jackson is under scrutiny following his second red card in four appearances. The challenge on Flamengo’s Ayrton Lucas on June 20, 2025, was labeled “serious foul play” by FIFA’s disciplinary panel, which increased his Club World Cup suspension to two games, as reported by *The Athletic*.

With Jackson unavailable for the clash against Benfica and the Premier League opener versus Palace, Delap, who joined from Ipswich for £30 million, is expected to lead the front line. The 22-year-old has impressed so far, netting his debut Chelsea goal against Esperance and setting up Enzo Fernandez in a 2-0 win over LAFC, showing his strength and registering a 17.7% shot-conversion rate—surpassing Jackson’s 13.2%, according to *Opta Analyst*.

Maresca commended Delap’s swift integration, stating, “We expected the process to be quick with Liam because he knows how we play.”

Jackson’s suspension has intensified questions over his long-term future, with interest from Juventus and Napoli, though neither can meet Chelsea’s asking price of over £50 million, according to *Sky Sports*. Despite scoring 10 Premier League goals last season, Jackson fell short of his 12.3 expected goals and faced criticism over his discipline, with John Obi Mikel encouraging him to “embrace competition” from Delap.

Chelsea’s £225.5 million summer spending—featuring Delap, Jamie Gittens (£50m), Joao Pedro (£60m), and Estevao Willian (£51m), with a potential £84.5 million deal for Victor Osimhen—underscores Maresca’s attacking rebuild.

With Fernandez out due to a head injury and five academy players released, Delap’s Club World Cup displays—characterized as “buccaneering” by *The Guardian*—provide optimism as Chelsea prepare to face Palace

without Jackson.