Manchester United legend Gary Neville is pleased to see one player succeeding at Chelsea.
Gary Neville was speaking following Chelsea‘s 3-0 win against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca‘s side were able to see off Villa comfortably thanks to Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, who all managed to score on the afternoon.
Joe Hart was one of many to praise Jackson after his performance against Unai Emery’s men.
Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea has his chance on goal saved by Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa which results in Emiliano Martinez picking up a injury ...
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Gary Neville pleased for Nicolas Jackson
Jackson was also a talking point for Neville following his contribution to Chelsea’s victory over Villa.
The former defender stated that he was happy to see Jackson doing well and suggested that the 23-year-old may now be good enough to be Chelsea’s marquee forward.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville said: “Jackson, I’m happy for him! Last season, I remember us doing the podcast, I never thought the problem was Nicolas Jackson.
“I thought they might have to sign another forward, but I thought he was a really good second striker, Jackson, in the sense that if you had a No.9 that was Diego Costa and he was your man to come on, you’d think, ‘What a good striker he is to come on’.
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“He’s now actually pushing to the point where you’re thinking, ‘Do we actually need that first striker? Could he be the first striker?’.”
Former USA international Janusz Michallik has also claimed that Jackson has “everything”.
What has Gary Neville said about Nicolas Jackson in the past?
Before, Neville had questioned whether Jackson was capable of helping Chelsea to challenge for the title.
“I don’t want to really call out Nicolas Jackson, I think he can be part of a very successful squad that can do well for Chelsea,” Neville said when discussing Jackson in October.
“I just think if they had a world-class striker in front of him, he was, say, the second striker, that would more align with the team that could go on and potentially win the title in a few years’ time and catch Liverpool up.”
However, it now looks like the Senegal international, who earns £100,000 a week in west London (via Spotrac), is really starting to convince the retired England player.
In total Jackson has score eight goals in 13 Premier League appearances this season. No one in Chelsea’s squad has netted more times than him, not even Palmer.
The attacking midfielder has also scored eight goals in the top flight, though he has registered more assists than his Chelsea teammate.
Even now, there is still talk about Chelsea potentially bringing in a new striker. But at this point, that new No.9 probably has to be a young name who is willing to cover for Jackson and should only be signed if Christopher Nkunku leaves the club.
As of now, Jackson looks good enough to lead the line for Chelsea and do his part in a potential title charge either today or in the near future.
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