Chelsea have made for an interesting watch on and off the pitch for the past two years, but their on-field performances are deservedly gaining attention again.
Enzo Maresca’s appointment has been regarded as a significant acquisition by the Todd Boehly & Clearlake Capital ownership, as he was handed a long-term contract with an enviable football structure in place as well as an exciting group of players.
One of the most polarising figures in the Chelsea squad is striker Nicolas Jackson who joined as an unknown quantity from Villarreal last season and endured the expected struggles of a young man in his maiden campaign in the biggest league in the world.
The 23-year-old has often been ridiculed as a laughing stock in the Premier League due to his erratic finishing at times, but he delivered a masterclass to silence some critics in his latest outing.
Jackson was the star of the show as Chelsea ripped apart West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, the Senegal forward delivered two goals and an assist in a commanding 3-0 victory which temporarily moved the Blues into second place.
Starting as the focal point in front of the trio of Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho, Jackson opened the scoring in the fourth minute by racing clear on the left channel and slotting past Alphonse Areola from a tight angle.
He completed his clinical brace by connecting with Moises Caicedo’s through ball in the 18th minute and sliding the ball home with the outside of his right foot.
Jackson expertly led Chelsea’s threat on the counterattack as they invited West Ham into their half and sprung quick breaks to feast on spaces in behind. The striker made it an afternoon to remember in his Chelsea career as he finished off the game with the decisive pass for Palmer’s goal, again on the counter, in the first minute of the second half.
The Chelsea man boasts an incredible record in London derbies which now reads ten goals and two assists in 12 games.
Meanwhile, his partnership with Palmer also continues to blossom as they have directly combined to score ten times in the Premier League since the start of the 2023/24 season, two more than any other duo.
This emphatic result means Chelsea have now won all three away league games this season following on from wins against Bournemouth and Wolves. Thus, Maresca becomes the first manager to win their first three Premier League away games in charge since Pep Guardiola in 2016.
Pertinently, this Chelsea side seem to be more comfortable playing away from home where they cannot feel the pressure to perform compared to the chaotic atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.
They must nevertheless continue their respectable start to the season although it remains to be seen if they can stay consistent throughout the campaign.
Who leads this incredible attacking depth?
Christopher Nkunku’s winner off the bench against Bournemouth led to a clamour for the Frenchman to start against West Ham but Maresca’s faith in Jackson was repaid in style.
While the Senegal international has been the first-choice striker throughout his Chelsea career, the Blues were heavily reliant on Palmer for most of last season. One of the early signs of Maresca’s team is that they are now performing much better as a unit.
Palmer brings the ice-cold poise to the attack, Nkunku is the team’s best finisher and his goalscoring pedigree should cover for Jackson’s weakness throughout the season.
Yet, only Erling Haaland has scored more league goals than Jackson since May.
It is pertinent to note that Jackson’s value goes far beyond his goalscoring tally as the West Ham game displayed his tireless work rate, link-up play, running in behind and creativity. He only needs to improve on his finishing and the display at the London Stadium shows that is clearly being worked on.
Maresca summed up his striker’s worth in his post-match assessment:
“He was very good. Not only because he scored twice; the way he works off the ball has been fantastic. He and Cole [Palmer], sometimes had to defend three-on-two.
“So I am happy with Nicolas in terms of numbers — goals and assists — but especially happy because the way he has worked has been fantastic.”
For Jackson, it is now 21 goals and eight assists in 50 Chelsea appearances, and he has been massively underrated in most of those matches. After putting pen to paper on a two-year contract extension until 2033 recently, the striker must now be perceived as a top Premier League striker as he continues to improve.
It has taken some time for many people to take notice of Jackson’s overall importance and growing impact as a goalscorer, but the underlying numbers display his upturn in form.
He is averaging 0.98 goals per game this season compared to 0.45 in 2023/24 while his average expected goals (xG) so far is 0.81, up from 0.60. Jackson is also taking more shots, 2.0 as against 1.3, and the increase in his big chances scored tally shows a more clinical edge this term.
Ultimately, Jackson’s tireless work in and out of possession is a unique quality in Chelsea’s frontline while his improving tally in front of goal should ensure he gets picked more often than not. Calls for Nkunku to start are fair, but it only gives Maresca more options to score goals and decide games in their favour.
Jackson has four goals and two assists from five matches so far this season, and 11 goal involvements (eight goals, three assists) in his last 10 league starts are very impressive records.
There is a lot more to do to change his perception in the English top flight but he is going about it admirably.
As a whole, Chelsea’s attack looks set to fire them to most of their targets for the season while their defensive balance has been stronger than anticipated. Maresca’s side will take much confidence from their latest performance and will now be pushing to show consistency which they have lacked for a few years now.
Jackson has been brilliant so far in 2024 as the team has only lost to Manchester City and Arsenal in the league since February.
Perhaps the Blues and their striker should be taken a lot more seriously now.
