"I wanted to leave because the coach came in" - Nicolas Jackson on how he almost joined another Premier League club instead of Chelsea
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has opened up about a transfer that nearly reshaped his career. He revealed that he came close to joining Aston Villa before his eventual move to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023.
The Senegal international, now a key figure in Chelsea’s attack, disclosed how an injury derailed a potential reunion with former Villarreal boss Unai Emery at Villa Park.
Speaking candidly about the near miss, Jackson explained (via SPORTbible):
"When Unai left, he wanted me to go to Aston Villa, but I was injured. I wanted to leave because the [new] coach came in. I had to go, but I was injured a little bit in my hamstring. We went there, they checked and said I needed one more month, and they wanted me now. If they wanted me in one week, two weeks, I was not ready, so they had to cancel the transfer."
It was a twist of fate that brought Jackson to the west London club instead, where he has since flourished.
Despite the initial adjustment to the demands of Premier League football, he has shone.
In his first season, the striker endured a mixed campaign (14 goals and five assists in 35 league games) as he adapted to life in England. However, his second season has seen a remarkable turnaround. He has registered nine goals and three assists in 15 Premier League games this season.
Jackson’s performances have been pivotal in the Blues' rise to second place under new head coach Enzo Maresca.
Nicolas Jackson has been a thorn in Aston Villa's path since his move to Chelsea
Jackson’s performances have come back to haunt Aston Villa on multiple occasions.
Since his move to Stamford Bridge, he has scored twice in four matches against Emery’s side, both times helping the Blues win.
In their most recent encounter, an early Jackson strike (7') set Chelsea on course for a resounding 3-0 win in the league on December 1, a result that underscored their resurgence under Maresca.
After a promising start at Villarreal that caught the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including the Blues and Aston Villa, his first season in London saw his goal contributions dip to 0.6 per game.
However, this season, the Senegalese forward has returned to form, making him one of LaLiga’s most sought-after strikers, with a goals-per-game ratio that mirrors his best days in Spain.
Jackson also revealed he was unfazed by the west London side's reported summer interest in Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, further underlining his confidence in his ability to lead the line for the Blues.
His contributions this season have helped solidify Chelsea’s attacking identity under Maresca, with the team now firing on all cylinders and dreaming of their first Premier League title in years.
The "what if" of his near-move to Aston Villa may linger as an intriguing subplot in Jackson’s career, but for Chelsea fans, there’s no doubt that fate worked in their favor.