Maresca has 'no doubt' in Jackson as Chelsea's number nine / Photo: Adrian DENNIS - AFP
-
Sri Lanka's de Silva quits as Test captain
-
Oil prices surge and stocks sink on fresh inflation worries
-
Alcaraz feeling 'mentally fresh' ahead of Shanghai return
-
AI startup Manus raises $500m after Meta acquisition blocked by China
-
Israel drastically reduces British diplomatic presence in Jerusalem
-
From refuge to repatriations: Malaysia's Myanmar U-turn
-
Stocks fall further as oil surge fans fresh inflation worries
-
Morikawa says LIV players face 'business decision' after Rahm exit
-
North Korea demands South show 'utmost respect' to restore relations
-
Tenzing Norgay's son says Himalayas sending climate warning
-
Saudi says three dead in airport attacks claimed by Houthis
-
On your bike! Bottas opts for two wheels to reach Singapore GP
-
'Mad dream': New showcase for African film opens in London
-
Alcaraz, Sinner, Osaka commit to Australian Open '1 Point Slam'
-
All Blacks coach Rennie says Wallabies exit 'part of the game'
-
Dodgers beat Braves to advance in MLB playoffs, Rays oust Yankees
-
The growing protests against India's poll body - and PM Modi
-
'A sun as black as my lungs': how corruption crucified a polluted Albania city
-
Stocks fall further as oil spike fans fresh inflation worries
-
The British historian helping the French rediscover de Gaulle
-
Bad COP, worse COP? EU tempers hopes for UN climate summit
-
Dodgers beat Braves to advance, Guardians survive in MLB playoffs
-
Rookie Henry named in Wallabies midfield to face All Blacks
-
Latin American, Caribbean women top Nobel literature buzz
-
Housing crisis set to dominate Spain's snap election
-
US says Fiji-based Chinese official paid bribes for Beijing
-
Gas, health care, utilities: high costs squeeze US midterm voters
-
After botched US execution, Christa Pike was nearly taken off life support
-
New Zealand Rugby seeks injunction over PNG Chiefs name
-
Guinea-Bissau junta urges military unit loyal to ex-president to disarm
-
Samsung expects 780% quarterly operating profit jump on AI boom
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - October 08
-
As species decline, green turtles offer glimmer of hope
-
Guardians survive with 9-3 win over White Sox
-
Brothers Scott and Beauden Barrett named to start for All Blacks
-
Saudi Arabia says 3 dead at airports after Houthis claim attacks
-
EU trade chief seeks to dial down China tensions
-
Stocks slide as oil sees volatile trading day over Iran war fears
-
'Never again Bolsonaro': thousands march ahead of Brazil election runoff
-
Microsoft pushes AI vision with new, expensive Surface laptop
-
After botched execution, US woman was nearly taken off life support before revival
-
Five children among 28 killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine
-
Searing AIDS drama 'Elsinore' opens London film festival
-
Odell Beckham Jr signs with Minnesota Vikings
-
Evicted pensioner who sparked Spain housing protests dies: tenant union
-
Saudi Arabia says three dead at airports after Houthis claim attacks
-
Golf star Rahm quitting LIV tour over 'unacceptable' terms
-
Trump plans to turn Florida golf course into presidential retreat
-
Thousands march fearing return of a Bolsonaro presidency in Brazil
-
WHO says cannot conduct full risk assessment on Russia plague reports
Maresca has 'no doubt' in Jackson as Chelsea's number nine
Enzo Maresca backed Nicolas Jackson as his first choice striker at Chelsea on Friday despite Christopher Nkunku's match-winning impact against Bournemouth last weekend.
Nkunku came off the bench to net late on in a 1-0 win, securing just Chelsea's second win in four Premier League games since Maresca took charge.
Jackson has started all four games and extended his contract at Stamford Bridge to 2033 last week.
The Senegal international scored 17 goals in his debut season with the Blues, but was also guilty of missing a number of big chances.
"For me, in this moment, Nicolas is our striker, I don't have any doubt," Maresca said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to West Ham.
"Because of the way he is working day by day and the way he is working on the ball and off the ball.
"In this moment, we are very happy with Nicolas. In terms of numbers, last season and this season, it's already important numbers."
Nkunku's first season after a £52 million ($69 million) move from RB Leipzig was disrupted by a serious knee injury.
The French international has scored three times in six appearances under Maresca and the Italian insisted he will get his chance to shine as he hit back at criticism of Chelsea's bloated squad.
"As a left winger, we have Jadon (Sancho) and Misha (Mykhailo Mudryk). As right wingers, we have Noni (Madueke) and Pedro (Neto). As attacking midfielder, we have Cole (Palmer) and Joao (Felix). As a nine, we have Nkunku and Nico.
"There are not so many players, we have two players in each position."
Maresca, who led Leicester to promotion from the Championship last season, has had a whirlwind start to his time in west London since replacing Mauricio Pochettino.
After a troubled pre-season tour to the United States and chaotic transfer window of comings and goings, he then had to face questions of reported infighting between Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
But on the field things are coming together for the Italian.
Chelsea's only league defeat so far came against champions Manchester City, while they overcame Swiss side Servette to reach the group stages of the UEFA Conference League.
"We are ahead of where I expected, to be honest," added Maresca.
"Since I have started, the players have been open-minded and they are taking in all of the information."
Y.Kobayashi--AMWN
