Ian Wright’s view on Nicolas Jackson has aged well with the Chelsea striker scoring his second goal of the new Premier League season on Sunday. In April, Wright hit back at Jackson’s critics and insisted the £30million star would soon flourish at Stamford Bridge.
Jackson opened the scoring in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and while he missed a couple of other chances, the 23-year-old was one of the Blues’ best players. His two goals this term follow a run of four strikes in the final five matches of last season.
The Senegal international scored 14 goals in his debut Premier League campaign but there were concerns among fans over his consistency. Three of those strikes came in a hat-trick against nine-man Tottenham and only after he had been guilty of squandering several opportunities.
But Jackson will be Chelsea’s chief scoring threat this year after the failed pursuits of Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney during the summer.
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Former Arsenal striker Wright believes Jackson is good enough to carry the scoring burden and insisted that the former Villarreal striker will come good despite a tricky start to life in west London.
“I’m seeing Nicolas Jackson by the way… I’ve got to mention him,” Wright said towards the end of last season on his Wrighty’s House podcast.
“I watched him fully again [during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa] and I have watched him in the last three or four games and the chances that he has missed always take precedent when people are talking about him, but I am seeing that guy’s pace, his link, his touch.
“Something is happening there. If he gets that goalscoring right there is something in there, I’m telling you.
“He did some brilliant stuff against Villa. I hope it can happen for him. I have seen flashes and if he has the energy and the personality for it, this guy has got something. I am telling you.”
In addition to scoring against Palace, Jackson also found the net in Chelsea’s big 6-2 victory over Wolves a week ago. Having signed a new contract with the Blues before Sunday’s London derby, Jackson seems primed to beat last year’s goal tally.
His movement has drastically improved and his confidence in front of goal has grown. Jackson’s pressing ability also seems to suit Maresca’s style.
Head coach Enzo Maresca said of the Chelsea forward on Sunday: “I’m very happy. Nicolas is doing a fantastic job with us, on and off the ball, he scored already two goals [this season]. He scored again today. He had another two chances but we are happy with him.”
