Nicolas Jackson is a polarising figure amongst Chelsea’s fan base, splitting opinions on the club’s need for a more recognised and prolific striker as doubts still linger on the Senegalese ability to lead the lines for an ambitious Chelsea rebuilding project.
The former Villarreal player signed for the Blues last summer (2023) for a reported fee of €37 million and has steadily been building his reputation with some eye-catching performances over the course of his stay at the London club. Despite the questions surrounding Jackson’s qualities, the Chelsea hierarchy seems satisfied with his performances, as he was rewarded with a two-year contract extension, significantly tying him to the London side for a period of nine (9) years.
The major talking point surrounding Jackson’s Chelsea career has been his erratic and inconsistent finishing coupled with his lack of composure in front of goal. Despite boasting respectable numbers with twenty-one (21) goals and nine (9) assists in fifty-two (52) games for Chelsea, there’s a shadow of doubt over his ability to lead the lines in restoring Chelsea’s place as serious title contenders in England and Europe.
In his first season (2023/2024) at Chelsea, under a chaotic Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea side, he had 19 goal contributions in the Premier League with 14 goals and 5 assists from 18.6 xG with significant goals against strong oppositions in Spurs and Manchester City. In comparison to club legend Didier Drogba, who had scored 10 and 12 Premier League goals in his first and second seasons, respectively. Seven games into the new Premier League season (2024/2025) under newly appointed manager Enzo Maresca, Nicolas Jackson already has 7 goal contributions with 4 goals and 3 assists from 5.2 xG.
Beyond his respectable goal stats, Jackson’s qualities extend beyond the primary duties of a striker. Even without goals or assists, Nicolas Jackson offers significant contributions to Chelsea’s gameplan.
His ball carrying, off-the-ball movement, ability to comfortably play between the lines with his back to goal, linkup play between midfielders and wide attackers, and his aggressive pressing from the front are crucial elements that facilitate Chelsea’s dynamic gameplay. He also possesses the technical quality to play across all areas of the forward line; he can play as an advanced attacking midfielder, second striker, left or right winger.
Jackson completed 54% of his attempted dribbles in the Premier League last season with 1.73 successful dribbles per 90, ranking in the 87th percentile with respect to other Premier League forwards. Without the ball, Jackson frequently puts in defensive shifts for his teammates, with 98 ball recoveries last season and 26 ball possessions won in the final third. Both the eye test and statistics back the fact that his all-round game is substantially at an elite level.
Nicolas Jackson rough edges worth polishing for Chelsea
Still only 22 years old, Nicolas Jackson is far from being the finished product, and despite his impressive goal return in his first 16 months at Chelsea, there’s still definitely more room for improvement.
There’s already been some slight improvements this season as he has been more calm and decisive in front of goal, as displayed in the first second goal away to West Ham in the Premier League this season.
His poor discipline will definitely be an issue to be addressed, as he has picked up 12 yellow cards in 42 Premier League appearances for the Blues.
Also, for a striker of his height (186 cm), his aerial ability needs more refining as his aerial duel success of 35.7% is unsatisfactory.
There’s no doubt that Chelsea have found for themselves a diamond still rough at the edges, but Nicolas Jackson clearly has the talent to fire Maresca’s Chelsea into title contender status.
