Nicolas Jackson told he 'can become better than Erling Haaland' and be worth £150m

Nicolas Jackson scored 17 goals in his first season in all competitions but still had critics over his performances - though Chelsea icon Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank believes the forward could become world class in the future

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Nicolas Jackson has the potential to become better than Erling Haaland - and urged him to be "more decisive" in front of goal to reach the top level.

Jackson is having a great season for Chelsea so far, netting four goals in six games, following criticism over his performances from fans and pundits in the last campaign.

The Senegalese star - who joined from Villarreal for around £31m last summer - scored 17 goals in his first season in all competitions but still had critics over his goalscoring, with club legend Jon Obi Mikel saying he didn't provide enough of a goal threat.

However, Hasselbaink - who scored 87 times from 177 outings for the Blues - is predicting big things for Jackson and feels he could reach Haaland's level soon, tipping him to become a £150million player.

He told Genting Casino: "Nicolas Jackson and Erling Haaland are similar ages [23 and 24]. The major difference is, Haaland has a lot more top-level experience in terms of Champions League football. He’s been playing at that level since he burst onto the scene playing for Salzburg and has stayed there. Jackson hasn’t done that.

"That is what Jackson needs to do to be considered one of the best strikers in the world. He needs to be decisive on the pitch and he needs to score goals regularly at the highest level in the game. It’s a big challenge for him, but he has the potential to get there. If Jackson fulfils his potential, he will be a £150 million player. I’m convinced of that."

Haaland is currently one of Europe's top forwards after amassing a total of 255 goals in just 305 career outings - including back-to-back golden boot awards in the Premier League - and has racked up 10 goals in seven games already this season.

However, Hasselbank has claimed Jackson has two key attributes that Haaland doesn't have and says if he plays in a more "simple" way and adds even more goals to his game he could be "one of the best strikers in the world".

“[Jackson] is a player that has the potential to be able to do everything," he continued. "He can play outside the box. He can play with the ball at his feet, those are things that Erling Haaland can’t really do.

"The only thing that Jackson needs to understand is, when he gets involved in the build-up, that game outside the box, sometimes he can try and do too many things. He doesn’t have to do that. Jackson has the potential to become one of the best strikers in the world."

Jackson recently hit back at criticism over his performances this season - telling club icon John Obi Mikel to "shut your mouth" after grabbing a goal and assist in a 6-2 win over Wolves last month.

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