Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Is there a player who divides the Chelsea fan base more than Nicolas Jackson?
Some Chelsea supporters really rate Jackson and want him to stay at the club. Others, on the other hand, are not too keen on the striker and remain unhappy with the manner of his exit last summer.
Jackson left the Blues for Bayern Munich on a loan deal following the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, and many fans felt that he simply did not fancy the competition.
Of course, there were also reports that the 25-year-old fell out with Enzo Maresca, but whatever the case, he is back at Chelsea now and could prove to be a useful asset to Xabi Alonso in the new season.
Nicolas Jackson can play identical role to Joao Pedro
Jackson started in Chelsea’s fiery 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim on Sunday, and his heat map was very interesting.
Looking at Jackson’s heat map on Sofascore, he was practically playing as a No.10 and to devastating effect.
The Senegal international spent the majority of the game in a central position and ended up registering four key passes.
Joao Pedro is Chelsea’s first-choice striker, but the Brazilian often drops into the No.10 position and causes absolute mayhem there.
Chelsea FC v AC Milan - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
He draws players to him, which opens up space for his teammates to run into. Pedro then lays off the ball to a midfielder before they try to find a runner, or he plays the pass himself.
Chelsea fans already knew that Jackson is very capable of doing similar, but Alonso has seen it first-hand now. Ultimately, looking at his heat map, he can be quite confident that Jackson is a suitable alternative to Pedro. Their playing styles are not too different, though Pedro is the better finisher.
Jackson probably mixes his game up a bit more, with the former Bayern loanee also being a forward who likes to run in the channels instead of always going to the ball. But yes, you can see similarities between the two.
Convincing Jackson to stay and be Pedro’s back-up, though, could be tricky.