Nicolas Jackson Improvement Means Chelsea Might Not Need A New Striker

by · Forbes
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the game during the Premier ... [+] League match at the London Stadium. Picture date: Saturday September 21, 2024. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)PA Images via Getty Images

Had 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.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca gives instructions to Nicolas ... [+] Jackson of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Chelsea FC at Molineux on August 25, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)Offside via Getty Images

“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.”

MORE FOR YOU
A ‘Huge’ BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Price ‘Surprise’ Is Suddenly About To Hit
Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram And Answers For Sunday, September 22
Could Comet A3 Be Visible In Daylight And The Brightest For 100 Years?

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.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea scores his team's first goal under ... [+] pressure from Edson Alvarez of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on September 21, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)Getty Images

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.