Nicolas Jackson could be part of Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea squad next season.
Jackson has spent this season on loan at Bayern Munich, but the striker is set to return to Chelsea before a decision is made on his future.
Are you taking Nicolas Jackson back at Chelsea in the summer? Is he better than what we’ve got?
Joe Cole on Nicolas Jackson
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Jackson remaining at Chelsea has not been ruled out, and some fans would welcome him back, especially after Liam Delap’s struggles.
However, not every Chelsea supporter will want to see the 24-year-old reintegrated into the first-team squad. His performance in Senegal’s defeat to the USA on Sunday is one reason why.
As he so often does, Jackson pressed extremely well. The pressure he put on the USA’s backline even resulted in Sadio Mane scoring a goal.
That and his link-up play have never been the problem, though. Rather, it has been his finishing, which still does not seem to have improved if Sunday’s game is anything to go by.
As per Sofascore, Jackson missed one big chance, which was actually his only shot of the game. Looking back at that opportunity, the Senegal international really should have scored.
Whatever the case, Chelsea’s squad improves if Jackson sticks around next season. He is an upgrade on Delap, who only scored one league goal this term, and Emanuel Emegha.
Liam Delap replaces Nicolas Jackson as a substitute in Chelsea's Club World Cup win against Los Angeles FC.
Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Joao Pedro is likely to continue as Chelsea’s first-choice striker after the campaign he has had. In 50 appearances, the Brazilian scored 20 goals.
Alonso is going to need an adequate alternative to Pedro, though, and Jackson could be perfect for when the former Brighton & Hove Albion player is out of form, tired or injured.
Again, Jackson is probably one of the best pressing forwards in football, while his link-up play remains the same. And it is not as if the former Villarreal man cannot find the back of the net at all.
In his first season at Chelsea, he scored 14 goals in 35 Premier League appearances. But clearly, his finishing still needs some refining.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox