Jackson stays, Fermin confirmed, four sold - Chelsea best and worst case transfer deadline day

The less a team does ontransfer deadline day, the better. That is the general rule.

Still being active in the market so late on in the window is not seen as a good thing. Whether it is because business has simply been slow, deals haven't got over the line in time, or due to unforeseen circumstances, context rarely seems to matter.

For Chelsea, a busy end to the summer is natural.They are a constant in a now-saturated environment of updates and 24/7 attention or coverage.

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Especially under the Clearlake Capital - Todd Boehly ownership, they have found themselves racing to the finish. This year is no different.

From appearing relatively settled on the incoming side, Chelsea have been left to dip back into the wild west of transfers on deadline day. The saying is that it could go one of two ways, but just what either of those two ways actually looks like is anybody's guess.

There are eight players looking for transfers and the chance of another (without a name because it really depends) being signed to make up the numbers up front. Here, football.london goes through a best and worst case scenario for Chelsea and Maresca.

Best case

Getting the simple bit out of the way, Chelsea need to move on Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, and Ben Chilwell. They are black holes of wages and money that is not benefitting the club in anyway.

At this stage a loan would suffice. Chilwell spent the first half of last season not playing whilst Sterling did basically the same, just at Arsenal rather than Chelsea. Neither player wants to be hanging around in the knowledge that they are unwanted and have no role to play.

Disasi is more useful but was shipped off in January and has not been in the plans under Maresca ever since. If sales can be done then Chelsea will be able to draw a line under the trio.

They are also waiting on Tyrique George. He came off the bench on Saturday against Fulham but Alejandro Garnacho's arrival will relegate him down the attacking order. A loan would leave Chelsea open to his talents in the future but a permanent exit is more likely.

Now for the more complex situation. In an ideal world, Chelsea won't be buying a new striker on deadline day. It is far from great that they are dealing with an unhappy and frustrated Nicolas Jackson following his collapsed move to Bayern Munichbut all parties must now act like adults and sort things out.

Chelsea could sell him. Newcastle United and Aston Villa are the two most obvious destinations, but that requires finding a replacement. Marc Guiu is not ready to be that guy regardless of his potential. A recall from Sunderland appears more to do with their own striker search than Chelsea viewing him as a suitable alternative to Liam Delap or Jackson.

If Jackson stays then Chelsea add a Premier League-proven striker back into their squad without spending a penny.They can then attack Barcelona's Fermin Lopez.He is the most viable option after Xavi Simons fell through.

A loan for Facundo Buonanotte is hardly a needle mover but would offer some cover. Fermin would provide genuine depth for Cole Palmer at No.10 and also on the left side.

Best case scenario: Disasi, Sterling, Chilwell, George - Out. Jackson stays. Fermin in. Buonanotte loan, maybe? No new striker signed. Guiu loan.

Worst case

This is where things get messy. Pretty much imagine the opposite.

Chelsea could easily find themselves unable to shift Disasi, Sterling, and Chilwell. That would leave them paying their wages and having to find somewhere for them to train.

If George was to stay it wouldn't be the worst thing but depending on new signings, could see him reduced to miniscule minutes which is not what is needed for his development. That brings us on to the worst scenario for incomings.

Buonanotte is a bit of a whatever deal, it does not necessarily matter if he does or does not arrive. Without the central backup, though, there would be a lot of pressure on Joao Pedro to play up front and be the first drop for Palmer when he is rested or out.

Chelsea do need an attacker and could, remarkably, be left short if one of Buonanotte or Fermin do not come in and Jackson is sold. That would be almighty levels of weight for Pedro to deal with.

Selling Jackson without a replacement is a big no-no for Chelsea as they do not have the capacity to go headfirst into midweek football with just one fit senior striker. Guiu could be seen as that but must head out on loan before being considered an option for Maresca.

If Chelsea can balance acting and not being reckless then they can avoid a terrrible end to the summer. Keeping Jackson but buying Fermin is a strong middle ground no matter what happens with the outgoings. That will be easier said than done.

Worst case scenario: Disasi, Sterling, Chilwell, George stay. Jackson leaves. No striker replacement found. Fermin and Buonanotte don't arrive. Guiu used as striker backup or goes elsewhere.