“This weekend is all about him” - Troy Deeney highlights what 23-year-old star must do to be the ‘main man’ at Chelsea
Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has highlighted what Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson should do to become the 'main man' in the club's attacking gameplan. The Englishman said that he would have to offer a constant 'threat in behind' and keep converting his chances to establish himself as a star striker at the club.
Jackson has started all five Premier League games this season for the Blues, and has been scoring goals for fun. The 23-year-old has struck four times and assisted twice, powering his side to fifth place in the league standings.
His incredible start to the season is a far cry from his struggles in front of goal last season. Commending his improvement in a talk show with BBC Sport, Deeney said (via Caught Offside):
"This weekend is all about Jackson. Two great goals and an assist, all done before he was given a rest after 60 minutes. It was a fine day at the office for him."
However, the 36-year-old offered a word of caution, claiming that he had to continue his good run of form if he wanted to deter the Blues from buying another striker. Deeney added:
"I’m quite critical of how many chances he misses for Chelsea and, if he wants to be the main man moving forward, he has to have more games like this. He grabbed hold of it, offered a threat in behind and scored goals. They don’t need to buy another striker if he stays in this kind of form."
Despite Jackson's fruitful returns, Enzo Maresca's side continue to be linked with superstar strikers like Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko among others.
"Looks like a player who's becoming more complete" - Chelsea icon heaps praise on striker Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea icon Pat Nevin was full of praise for forward Nicolas Jackson after he bagged two goals and an assist in the Blues' 3-0 win over West Ham (September 21).
Nevin highlighted the changes that he observed in Jackson's game from the past season, noting that he is becoming a more 'complete' footballer. Speaking to TalkSPORT, the 61-year-old said (via The Chelsea Chronicle):
"That movement for the creation of the goal for (Cole) Palmer, yeah, absolutely spot on, because he wasn’t doing that last season. It was very individual, a lot of the times he was going for goal when he shouldn’t have been going for goal, but he didn’t do that this time." (4:33)
"He created the space by running across to his right, allowing Cole Palmer, who did a brilliant job getting there, to be slid in. That looks like a player who's becoming a more complete player, which Chelsea fans certainly didn’t see," Nevin added.
Up next in the Premier League, Jackson will likely be seen in action when Chelsea take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on September 28.