Ex-Chelsea defender William Gallas has urged his former club to keep faith with Nicolas Jackson for the rest of the season.

Brentford’s Ivan Toney has been heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge but speaking to Gambling Zone, Gallas said the forward’s £100m valuation is “too much”, and the Blues should give Jackson until the end of the campaign before deciding on their next move:

“Who would I target as a striker if I was Chelsea manager? I would finish the season with Jackson. They bought some strikers in the summer but the results haven’t been good, but they simply cannot spend money again. If you buy again you put a player like Jackson on the bench and you don’t know how he will react.”

“They need to finish the season with him and try and get into the Europa League, you will see how many goals he finishes with and then you re-assess in the summer. Right now, are you going to find the right striker for Chelsea? How many millions are they going to spend, it will be ridiculous.”

Chelsea may heed Gallas’s advice

At the moment, it appears that Mauricio Pochettino’s side won’t pursue a move for Toney during the January transfer window. Along with Victor Osimhen, it is felt that getting a deal done this month may be impossible.

Whether that will lead to the Blues missing out on the two players, we shall have to wait and see. Arsenal and other rivals are said to be keeping their eye on the pair.

Will the club still look to replace Jackson?

The Senegalese international was signed from Villarreal for £32m last summer, but he has only scored 8 times this campaign. Many feel that the forward needs more competition for his place up front, especially if Armando Broja is sold.

Recruiting a player on loan for the short-term, before then going after Osmihen or Toney at the end of the season, could be a solution that is considered.