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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Former Barcelona youth starlet Iker Goujon was "inseparable" from Chelsea attacker Nicolas Jackson during their time together at Villarreal and both he and former Mirandes coach Pablo Gomez Rubio, who worked with the 23-year-old during a loan spell, are not surprised by the Senegal international's exciting evolution
Iker Goujon
Iker Goujon lived with Nicolas Jackson during their time together at Villarreal
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Image: Courtesy of Villarreal CF)
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When critics first began to scrutinise Nicolas Jackson's lack of cutting edge, one team-mate never questioned whether the penny would drop.
Iker Goujon, now a free agent following his release from Barcelona B in light of serious knee injury, was "inseparable" from Chelsea's ever-improving striker during a two-year spell together as housemates at Villarreal. And the Spaniard claims Jackson's Premier League goalscoring exploits come as no surprise due to the 23-year-old's "unshakable confidence".
He revealed: "I witnessed Nico’s exponential growth up close and had a very different opinion than many at the time. People doubted he could become a top player, often pointing to his finishing as a weakness but that never concerned me. I always reassured him and told him to stay calm because I saw a complete player who worked tirelessly to improve.
"Any top-level coach in Europe would now use Nico as their starting striker if he was in their squad."
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Jackson's admirable evolution into one of the top-flight's most-fearsome forwards has not come without struggle, however. As a fresh-faced 19-year-old - one year after his arrival from Senegalese side Casa Sports - he was sent out on loan to Segunda Division outfit Mirandes.
It was a baptism of fire where winters are notoriously cold and upon return to Villarreal for pre-season, Jackson was dejected having scored just one goal amidst a series of hamstring injuries. Goujon took it upon himself to restore his companion's confidence, explaining: "Nico seemed very down, didn’t have a driving license, barely socialised with team-mates and was very insecure about opening up to others due to fears of discrimination or his own insecurities.
"I couldn’t let that continue and offered to drive him home one day and then it became a daily routine. Over time, we built a bond, he improved his Spanish significantly, introduced me to his African music and we laughed a lot. He became himself again.
"We started hanging out almost every day, and that’s when everything changed, he barely suffered injuries afterwards. Even members of Villarreal’s staff noticed the difference, asking what I'd done. I simply helped him feel at home and that summer, I even visited his family in Ziguinchor, Senegal."
Iker Goujon and Nicolas Jackson formed a close bond at Villarreal as the striker began to excel
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Image:
Courtesy of Villarreal CF)
Sporting Gijon coach Pablo Gomez Rubio, who worked with Jackson at Mirandes, quickly recognised the youngster possessed the mentality to polish his deficiencies.
He recalled: "Nico was very competitive, an introverted boy who asked for nothing and thanked you for anything you gave him. From the first training session, his talent was visible. His power and balance was above average.
"When something did not come off, he would get angry with himself and strive to make the next action perfect. He always had in mind that he wanted to reach the highest level. All of us who worked with him knew that he would achieve his dream."
Nicolas Jackson has seven goals in 12 Premier League appearances so far this season
Despite their unbreakable friendship, Goujon believes he will forever be in debt to Jackson - after accidentally getting him sent off. After a 90th-minute winner for Villarreal B in a dramatic 3-2 triumph at UCAM Murcia, the 25-year-old hurled a plastic chair from the bench during the celebrations - only for the referee to wrongly dismiss Jackson, who he thought was the perpetrator.
Their brotherhood never diminished, however, and Goujon believes there is one particular, standout anecdote that typifies Jackson's determination to reach the very top. After driving the attacker to the airport ahead of his proposed £20.3million switch to Bournemouth in January 2023, a WhatsApp filtered through, highlighting that the deal had collapsed.
And when Goujon collected his peer upon return to Spain, Jackson remained resolute, stating: "Now I need to work harder than ever to earn the opportunity again."
Six months later - Chelsea came calling and now Enzo Maresca is reaping the rewards of Jackson's labour as the Senegal international has fired the big-spending Blues back into Champions League reckoning.
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