The young Chelsea side is full of players moving in the right direction right now, and former Blues star Edouard Mendy has just delivered glowing praise about one individual at Stamford Bridge.
Edouard Mendy, 32, spent three seasons as a Chelsea player before leaving to join Al-Ahli in the summer of 2023.
The Senegalese goalkeeper was a key part of the Chelsea team that won the club’s second ever Champions League back in 2021.
During 105 senior appearances for the Blues, the gloveman kept an impressive 49 clean sheets.
Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brentford FC at Stamfor...
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Edouard Mendy hails Nicolas Jackson
Mendy has been speaking this week about Nicolas Jackson, who’s a player that arrived at Chelsea in the same window he left. Incidentally, the duo do play together at international level with Senegal.
Mendy believes Blues striker Jackson, 23, is an excellent player making huge improvements in his game.
When discussing Chelsea’s Jackson with Business of Sport, Mendy said: “He improved so much because I think he did self-criticism. I think it helps a lot when you look at yourself. He knows that he has crazy abilities, to be honest. He’s a complete player. He can run. He can keep the ball. He can jump. He can score with both legs. He’s an athlete.
“I think for him now the next goal will be to perform in Europe when Chelsea will be back to Champions League because next year they’ll play Champions League. For him, it’s to show that he can be the player to bring the club where it should be…
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“He’s doing very well… I would worry more if the striker wasn’t creating anything. Him he’s creating a lot, sometimes from nothing. Yeah, he’ll work on his finishing, for sure. But to have the ability to create this situation. If you look at his age and what he’s going to do in the next years, it’s really impressive.”
Thierry Henry praised Chelsea forward Jackson this week by saying he’s on his way to becoming the real deal. It’s the kind of praise from a true Premier League great that should inspire even more confidence.
Now in his second season at Stamford Bridge, Jackson is beginning to really thrive as the club’s first-choice centre-forward. In 15 Premier League matches this season, he’s scored nine goals and created three assists.
Noni Madueke has called Chelsea’s Jackson the Premier League’s best striker.
Chelsea’s top scorers
It’s a huge blessing for Chelsea right now that they’ve got so many players finding the back of the net.
Here is a look at the Blues’ top scorers so far this season across all competitions:
Player Goals
Christopher Nkunku 12
Cole Palmer 11
Nicolas Jackson 9
Noni Madueke 6
Joao Felix 5
In terms of Jackson’s progression, it’s obvious that he’s getting better and better every week. He’s well on track to beat last season’s tally of 17 goals across all competitions, too.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says Jackson was “unbelievable” against Brentford during Sunday’s league win over their local rivals.
While Nkunku is scoring goals for fun in various cup competitions, Jackson is leading the line on a weekly basis in the club’s big Premier League fixtures.
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