It’s a brilliant start for Chelsea’s number nine Nicolas Jackson in this season compared to the last season’s stats. Jackson was criticized by many because of his last season’s performance with the Blues. However, this is a new Jackson as the Chelsea number nine gradually getting his form back. Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien recently advised Nicolas Jackson to ignore all the criticism and told him to focus on the game more and more.
Nicolas Jackson’s performance at Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson joined the Blues last season from Spanish side, Villarreal, and signed an eight-year contract with Chelsea. However, the first season in English football was not good enough for the 23-year-old. Nicolas Jackson made 35 appearances in the Premier League last season and scored only 14 goals. And overall the Senegalese made 44 appearances in the last season and bagged only 17 goals in those 44 appearances. Because of his last season’s performance, the striker was heavily criticized by many. According to the news published by African Football, Jackson previously came under fire from former Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel, who criticized the 23-year-old for lack of finishing.
Chelsea have been trying to get a perfect number nine for a long time. The last time any Chelsea striker crossed the 15-goal mark in the Premier League was Diego Costa back in the 2015-16 season. Since then, no striker scored more than 15 goals in a single Premier League campaign. After the takeover of the Chelsea football club by BlueCo, the club wanted to sign a perfect number nine. That’s why at the start of the 2023/24 season, the Blues brought in Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal for a transfer fee of £32m.
Michael Essien’s comment on Jackson’s performance
Although the Senegalese striker had a bad last season, this season is totally different for Nicolas Jackson. Despite signing two new strikers in the summer including Omary kellyman and Marc Guiu in the summer transfer market, Enzo Maresca is using Nicolas Jackson for the number nine position. And no doubt that he is delivering his best form. Till now the 23-year-old scored four goals in his seven experiences this season, including a brilliant brace against West Ham United in the Premier League. Keeping an eye on the brilliant performance of Nicolas Jackson, Former Chelsea star Michael Essien advised him to ignore the criticisms. He said,
“For me, I would just ignore it. Everyone has their own opinion, but it’s nothing personal. Sometimes, when the criticism comes from an ex-player, it hurts the players even more, so they react.“
“But at the end of the day, it’s nothing personal. They just have to take it easy, concentrate on their football, and enjoy the moment because football goes quickly. You just have to enjoy it.”
More Chelsea news
The Blues moved to fourth with 13 points in the first six matches in the Premier League after beating Brighton at home last week by 4-2. Last season Chelsea’s top goal scorer and assist provider Cole Palmer scored all four goals for Chelsea and won the match of the match. The former Manchester City man has already scored six goals in the six matches in the Premier League this season and also provided four assists. Nicolas Jackson managed to get one assist in that match also.
Before continuing their Premier League journey against Nottingham Forest at the end of the week, the Blues will welcome Belgian side Gent in the UEFA Conference League. After that match, Chelsea will meet Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge. The last time these two sides met in Stamford Bridge, the Blues suffered a 1-0 loss to Forest.
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