Nicolas Jackson is a polarising determine amongst Chelsea’s fan base, splitting opinions on the membership’s want for a extra recognised and prolific striker as doubts nonetheless linger on the Senegalese skill to guide the strains for an bold Chelsea rebuilding undertaking.
The previous Villarreal participant signed for the Blues final summer time (2023) for a reported charge of €37 million and has steadily been constructing his repute with some eye-catching performances over the course of his keep on the London membership. Regardless of the questions surrounding Jackson’s qualities, the Chelsea hierarchy appears glad together with his performances, as he was rewarded with a two-year contract extension, considerably tying him to the London facet for a interval of 9 (9) years.
The key speaking level surrounding Jackson’s Chelsea profession has been his erratic and inconsistent ending coupled together with his lack of composure in entrance of aim. Regardless of boasting respectable numbers with twenty-one (21) targets and 9 (9) assists in fifty-two (52) video games for Chelsea, there’s a shadow of doubt over his skill to guide the strains in restoring Chelsea’s place as critical title contenders in England and Europe.
In his first season (2023/2024) at Chelsea, beneath a chaotic Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea facet, he had 19 aim contributions within the Premier League with 14 targets and 5 assists from 18.6 xG with vital targets in opposition to sturdy oppositions in Spurs and Manchester Metropolis. Compared to membership legend Didier Drogba, who had scored 10 and 12 Premier League targets in his first and second seasons, respectively. Seven video games into the brand new Premier League season (2024/2025) beneath newly appointed supervisor Enzo Maresca, Nicolas Jackson already has 7 aim contributions with 4 targets and three assists from 5.2 xG.
Past his respectable aim stats, Jackson’s qualities lengthen past the first duties of a striker. Even with out targets or assists, Nicolas Jackson provides vital contributions to Chelsea’s gameplan.
His ball carrying, off-the-ball motion, skill to comfortably play between the strains together with his again to aim, linkup play between midfielders and vast attackers, and his aggressive urgent from the entrance are essential components that facilitate Chelsea’s dynamic gameplay. He additionally possesses the technical high quality to play throughout all areas of the ahead line; he can play as a complicated attacking midfielder, second striker, left or proper winger.
Jackson accomplished 54% of his tried dribbles within the Premier League final season with 1.73 profitable dribbles per 90, rating within the 87th percentile with respect to different Premier League forwards. With out the ball, Jackson steadily places in defensive shifts for his teammates, with 98 ball recoveries final season and 26 ball possessions received within the ultimate third. Each the attention take a look at and statistics again the truth that his all-round sport is considerably at an elite stage.
Nicolas Jackson tough edges price sprucing for Chelsea
Nonetheless solely 22 years outdated, Nicolas Jackson is much from being the completed product, and regardless of his spectacular aim return in his first 16 months at Chelsea, there’s nonetheless undoubtedly extra room for enchancment.
There’s already been some slight enhancements this season as he has been extra calm and decisive in entrance of aim, as displayed within the first second aim away to West Ham within the Premier League this season.
His poor self-discipline will certainly be a problem to be addressed, as he has picked up 12 yellow playing cards in 42 Premier League appearances for the Blues.
Additionally, for a striker of his top (186 cm), his aerial skill wants extra refining as his aerial duel success of 35.7% is unsatisfactory.
There’s little question that Chelsea have discovered for themselves a diamond nonetheless tough on the edges, however Nicolas Jackson clearly has the expertise to fireside Maresca’s Chelsea into title contender standing.
The put up Can Nicolas Jackson lead Chelsea to a title successful season first appeared on Premier League Information Now.
