LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa FC at Stamford Bridge on December 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa FC at Stamford Bridge on December 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
In-form Nicolas Jackson is pushing Chelsea to change their plans to sign a world-class striker, according to Gary Neville.
Jackson, 23, is enjoying a much more productive second season at Stamford Bridge, having endured a difficult first campaign and been panned by critics for his lacklustre finishing. But the Senegal international has already bagged eight goals in 13 Premier League games this term as well as providing three assists.
His latest strike came on Sunday in the Blues' 3-0 win at home to Aston Villa, ensuring that Enzo Maresca's side remain third in the table. Chelsea were expected to sign another striker during the either the January or summer transfer window but Neville has suggested that plan has now changed.
"Nicolas Jackson, I'm happy for him. I never thought he was the problem. I thought they might need to sign another forward but I thought he would be a really good second striker," former Manchester United captain Neville admitted on his Sky Sports podcast.
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"If you had a number nine like Diego Costa and Jackson was your man to come on, you'd think what a good striker he is to come on. He's now pushing to the point where you think, 'do we actually need that first striker? Could he be that first striker?'
"I had a lot of love for him last year even though he was erratic and made mistakes. We're now seeing a real handful up there and someone you wouldn't want to play against as a centre-half.
"Chelsea are doing really well so well done to the manger for bringing that levels of calmness to the club because it's been mad and chaotic over the last few seasons. For the first time in a while it feels like it's settled down so well done to Maresca and well done to the players.
"The owners will feel a little bit more calm at this moment in time. But I don't feel that they're in the title race, I don't sense that really."
Is Nicolas Jackson good enough to be Chelsea's first-choice striker? Have your say in the comments section
Nicolas Jackson is enjoying a purple patch ( Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Ahead of the Villa game, Chelsea boss Maresca hailed Jackson, saying: "He is doing very well with us. Since we started, he has been open minded in what we ask him, and sometimes we require different things from him.
"He's has an open mind and wants to learn and he’s doing very well, not just in goals and assists, but also the way he works off the ball. The way he presses, he is always aggressive and we are very happy."
The Blues next face Southampton away from home on Wednesday.
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