Analysis

Player Report: What Nicolas Jackson could bring to Stamford Bridge

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Premier League giants Chelsea faced a significant problem last season with their inability to score goals effectively.

Their tally of 38 Premier League goals was surpassed by only four other teams, including Leeds and Leicester who were eventually relegated.

Improving the frontline was a top priority for the West London club as they aimed to revamp their squad during the summer transfer window. However, they had to strike a balance.

The Chelsea squad is still quite large and bloated, but the departures of N’Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly have helped reduce the wage bill to some extent.

Kai Havertz, Edouard Mendy, and Mason Mount have also left Stamford Bridge as the club aims to streamline their squad. Chelsea have already taken steps to address their scoring issues.

They have signed Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, who had an impressive Bundesliga season, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 16 goals.

However, Nkunku won’t be the only new forward at the club, as Nicolas Jackson has also moved to Stamford Bridge. Jackson was initially set to move to Bournemouth in January but failed a medical, and he was subsequently linked with Aston Villa.

However, Chelsea have managed to secure the 22-year-old, who scored 12 goals and provided four assists in La Liga last season, despite playing limited minutes.

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Notably, 10 of Jackson’s 12 goals came in the first half of 2023, making him one of the most prolific scorers in Spain’s top division, trailing only Karim Benzema.

1. NICOLAS JACKSON’S STYLE OF PLAY

Jackson has a remarkable ability to find the back of the net. He had the best conversion rate (29.3 per cent) among all players in the 2022-2023 La Liga season, among those who had 25 or more shots.

While Chelsea struggled to score goals, they still managed to rank eighth in the Premier League for average key passes per game (9.9), creating a reasonable foundation for improvement.

They also created a significant number of big chances (57) but missed a considerable amount of those(52).

Havertz was particularly guilty of missing clear-cut scoring opportunities, but with his departure to Arsenal, there is room for a new striker at Stamford Bridge.

Jackson has excelled when presented with clear-cut chances, boasting the best conversion rate in La Liga last season.

However, his game is not solely focused on scoring goals. He is a modern-day forward who looks to link play and contribute to the overall team performance.

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With an average of 1.2 key passes per 90 minutes, he displays respectable playmaking abilities. Additionally, his pass success rate of 76.4 per cent from an average of 17.9 passes per 90 minutes are solid figures for a striker.

2. NICOLAS JACKSON’S ROLE IN THE STARTING XI

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, requiring his main striker to have the ability to get into the box, hold up possession when necessary, and provide opportunities for teammates. Nicolas Jackson appears to fit these requirements well.

Considering the talented wingers at Pochettino’s disposal, along with the possibility of Christopher Nkunku operating as a second striker in the number 10 role, Jackson’s willingness to involve others in the play suggests that Chelsea’s goal tally from last season (38 goals) should quickly be surpassed.

Also Read: Chelsea are working behind the scenes to secure Moises Caicedo’s signature

While Jackson may not be the high-profile striker like Victor Osimhen that some fans may desire, if he is the ideal fit for the team, that shouldn’t be an issue.

Chelsea will be acquiring a player who can enhance the current attacking options at Stamford Bridge and, in the long run, develop into a complete centre-forward with the right coaching.

After all, Pochettino has a track record of transforming players like Harry Kane into world-class performers.

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