Nicolas Jackson Improvement Means Chelsea Might Not Need A New Striker
by Graham Ruthven · ForbesHad Chelsea got its way, Victor Osimhen would have joined the Blues in the summer transfer window. The Nigerian striker was a target for the Stamford Bridge club, but a deal was never struck with Napoli. Instead, Osimhen bizarrely joined Galatasaray on loan following a political tussle between the player and the Serie A club.
This has benefited Nicolas Jackson. He is Chelsea’s first-choice striker for the 2024/25 season and the Senegal international has been allowed to continue his development. Jackson has started the new campaign well, illustrated by the fact he has found the back of the net four times in just five Premier League appearances.
Despite coming in for a lot of criticism, Jackson scored 14 goals in his debut Premier League season last term and he looks to have taken another step forward at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. The 23-year-old’s performance in the 3-0 away win over West Ham was arguably his best to date as a Chelsea player.
“He was very good,” said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca when asked about Jackson’s display. “Not only because he scored twice; the way he works off the ball has been fantastic. He and Cole [Palmer], sometimes had to defend three-on-two. So I am happy with Nicolas in terms of numbers - goals and assists - but especially happy because the way he has worked has been fantastic.”
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Indeed, Jackson’s performance against West Ham was about much more than just the goals he scored. The Senegalese forward linked up nicely with Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho in particular. Maresca is getting more out of Jackson in terms of his all-round game. He is improving all the time.
The summer transfer window was chaotic for Chelsea given the number of transfers in and out and there remains a political power struggle between Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali which could see another boardroom shift in the coming weeks and months. On the pitch, though, things are starting to come together for Maresca and his team.
Chelsea has won three of its opening Premier League fixtures this season with its one defeat coming against defending champions Manchester City. In their current form, the Blues could be a factor in the race to finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League. That will certainly be the case if Jackson can keep up his current rate of improvement.