Didier Drogba has gone down as one of the best strikers to play for Chelsea, and he still keeps a watchful eye on players at Stamford Bridge.
A complete striker and a serial winner, Drogba won everything with Chelsea during his nine seasons in blue.
He developed a bond with the club that holds to this day, and he often speaks about and supports the current Chelsea team.
As such, it was interesting to hear praise from Drogba for a player who hasn’t had the best of times at the club of late.
Didier Drogba posing at the Ballon d'Or ceremony
Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images
Didier Drogba sees similarities between himself and Nicolas Jackson
Hearing Drogba draw comparisons with Nicolas Jackson will come as a shock to some.
Chelsea fans have been critical of Jackson for some time, not seeing him as a suitable option to lead the line for Enzo Maresca. His lack of cutting edge is often cited, and it has been a source of frustration for a couple of seasons.
But when Drogba was asked about African players in the Premier League, he felt obliged to mention the Chelsea loanee.
In an interview for Sporty TV, he says: “I used to like Jackson. Yeah. Because I’ve seen a lot of similarities in his debut at Chelsea, he was wearing number 15 as well, like I was.
“Unfortunately, it was a difficult time for him at Chelsea, but now at Bayern Munich he’s doing better, so I’m happy for him.”
Jackson’s had a slow start to life in Germany, and fans were eager to point out his shortcomings despite him still being on the books at Chelsea.
But his recent performances in the Champions League — two goals and an assist in three games — point to Jackson finding his feet.
Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea FC walks in the field during the FIFA Club World Cup
Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Nicolas Jackson’s Chelsea career potentially not over yet
The loan deal Bayern agreed with Chelsea for the Senegalese striker includes an obligation to buy, but only if Jackson hits 40 starts. Unless Harry Kane goes down injured, that’s not going to happen.
There is an option for the German giants to sign him, but should they choose not to exercise it, Jackson might be back at the Bridge next summer.
Maresca has decided on Liam Delap and Joao Pedro as his main two strikers, but we have seen with Marc Guiu and Tyrique George that there are minutes to be had up front.
But Chelsea continue to add young strikers to the squad, and 17-year-old Dastan Satpaev has already been tipped to be better than Jackson within a couple of seasons.
Jackson got far too hard a time of it in his two seasons in blue. He averaged a goal or an assist every other game and was key to Chelsea’s all-round play. He may not get back in the side, but Chelsea can expect plenty of interest in him next summer.