Nicolas Jackson (Banjul, Gambia) did not get off to a good start at Chelsea. His lack of success in front of goal, especially in the first part of the season, caused his signing from Villarreal to be seriously questioned – he had just scored 12 goals in his first full season in LaLiga – in exchange for 38 million euros.
Renewed ‘for life’
It’s curious. The former Mirandés player went to the Africa Cup with Senegal midway through the course and, even so, managed to put up his numbers: he closed his first campaign at Stamford Bridge with 17 goals (14 in the Premier) and six assists in 44 games. Hence, the ‘blues’ did not hesitate to reward him with a ‘lifetime’ renewal, until 2033.
Nico JacksonDriblab Performance Chart
With that confidence, Nico Jackson, honoring Michael Jackson’s ‘Moonwalk’, does not run, he ‘flies’: he has nine goals and three assists – all in the League – in the 1,194 minutes he has played. Only Haaland (32) and Watkins (25) have scored more goals – other than penalties – than Chelsea’s ‘9’ since the 2023-24 Premier League began.
According to ‘DataMB’, he is the forward under 23 years old – he arrived at Villarreal when he was 18 – who has scored the most goals, provided the most assists and has come into contact with the ball the most times in the area… within the five major leagues.
Nico Jackson’s expected goals and shots compared to other forwards in the five major leagues.Driblab
“At Chelsea there is always a debate with the ‘9’, but, perhaps, I don’t need it”
Figures that have ‘covered the mouths’ of their detractors. “Last season it seemed to me that he had everything… except a goal. I think that has changed and we are seeing a very effective forward in front of goal,” acknowledges Andros Townsend. “He was initially signed as a developing player, but he took advantage of Nkunku’s injury and ended up with an acceptable number of goals. He needs to improve certain aspects, but he moves well and has pace. There is always debate at Chelsea with the ‘9’, but maybe I don’t need it,” admits Chris Sutton.
Last season it seemed to me that I had everything… except a goal. I think that has changed and we are seeing a very effective forward.
Andros Townsend
“Didier was a unique player. We cannot continue waiting for a ‘new’ Drogba. Someone must take over and this boy does not stop growing. With the confidence that Maresca has given him and the opportunities that Palmer and company give him, he can score a lot of goals,” suggests Tim Sherwood.
“I criticized him last year because he always made the wrong decisions, but this season he’s doing everything right. I like it when players make me eat my words,” suggests Shaun Wright-Phillips, formerly of Chelsea.
He’s doing everything right. I like it when players make me eat my words
Shaun Wright-Phillips
“He has to think about the Ballon d’Or”
On the opposite ‘shore’ to his detractors is his compatriot Kalidou Koulibaly. Possibly no one believes in Nico Jackson as much as the former Chelsea player, now at Al Hilal.
“He has to believe that he is a world-class player. All the players who have won the Ballon d’Or believed that, so he has to put it in his head. I’m not saying that he is selfish or that he ignores his teammates, but he has to think in the Ballon d’Or. If he does it, he can achieve it. And that’s what he told him all the time,” Koulibaly remarked in an interview with ‘GiveMeSport’.
I’m not saying that he is selfish or that he ignores his teammates, but he has to think about the Ballon d’Or. If he does, he can achieve it
Kalidou Koulibaly
“At first no one expected this from Nico”
Koulibaly is not alone. Not much less. Enzo Maresca is another big fan of Nico Jackson. “At first, no one expected this from Nico, but, in terms of numbers, he has scored goals and given assists since we arrived,” says the Chelsea coach.
Maresca, however, looks beyond the goals: “He is doing very well, with and without the ball. You just have to see how he presses. Furthermore, he has adapted well to our style. Sometimes we use him almost like a midfielder, attacking the spaces from behind”. One thing is clear: there is Nico Jackson for a while, until 2033.
