Nicolas Jackson: How the Chelsea striker is silencing the doubters with his goals and performances
It’s worth noting that just six months ago, Chelsea were rumored to be trying to swap Newcastle striker Alexander Isak for cash plus Nicholas Jackson.
A deal never happened and while Isaac remains influential on Tyneside, Chelsea have their own star player in the form of 23-year-old Jackson, who was the driving force in the 2-1 win at Leicester City.
The Senegalese striker opened the scoring in the 15th minute and assisted on Enzo Fernandez’s second-half goal.
Even though Jackson scored 17 goals in 44 games last season, surpassing legend Didier Drogba in his debut season at the club, there were still rumors that Chelsea needed to sign a striker to compete at the highest level. game.
“Someone has to tell me what Nicholas Jackson did,” ESPN commentator Craig Burley said of Jackson last season. “He’s clearly not good enough to be the number one striker in the Premier League.”
Jackson wasted a lot of opportunities and had a poor disciplinary record in his first season, but he’s now repaying the trust and the conversation has changed.
Former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink spoke on BBC’s Planet Football podcast, comparing Jackson to Erling Haaland, Ollie Watkins and Issa Grams is ranked among the top four forwards in the league.
In TNT Sports’ coverage of the early game, Joe Kerr said Jackson is “at the top of his game.”
Jackson is now developing into a striker capable of being a match-winner when talisman Cole Palmer is rested, just as he was at Leicester City after suffering a heavy challenge from Wilfred Ndidi Do that.
His goal against Leicester City had a touch of Drogba’s style, beating defender Walter Faith before taking a beautiful touch and finishing to open the scoring.
Jackson’s tireless work helped Chelsea win possession up front through his pressing, creating an opportunity which was squandered by Noni Maduek and Fernandes converted.
But the biggest difference for Jackson is his consistency in recent months.
