It was not anticipated that Chelsea would have finished their first team recruitment when they paid £30 million to sign a 22-year-old Nicolas Jackson. The forward who had been playing as a striker for six months in the summer of 2023. It turns out that was precisely what was going to happen by the time the window closed.
There was no direct competition signed for Nicolas Jackson, despite the arrival of Christopher Nkunku, who had joined for £52 million from RB Leizig in a deal that had been finalized nearly a year earlier.
It didn’t always appear to be unfolding that way. As Nkunku got injured early and was almost out for the rest of the season. And the only option Chelsea had, was the Senegalese youngster as a striker.
Nicolas Jackson improving at Stamford Bridge
During the whole time Nicolas Jackson was treated as a back-up option at Chelsea. Links of Victor Osimhen & Evan Ferguson were always emerging. Fans always wanted to see either of them on the pitch. However, that never happened so far. And the way Nicolas Jackson has started the new season has gave a boost to his confidence, scoring 7 Premier League goals in 12 games.
The Senegal international wasn’t really altered all that much by those links. He is not, as popular narratives would have you believe, a completely different and unrecognizable person. Rather, he is a more defined and polished version of the guy Chelsea signed. In general, Jackson remains the sam. Chelsea spent £30 million and chose not to support Ferguson. Who was more than three years younger and £70 million more expensive.
That’s definitely a call that becomes better with time. Although The Telegraph reports this week that Brighton plans to try to sell Ferguson on loan in January in an attempt to get him some senior minutes again, this is not to suggest that Ferguson won’t go on to become a dangerous striker again.
A trusted source on ChelseaNews.com
For more football updates, make sure to follow us on:
Recommended for you