Jackson 'masterclass' shows Chelsea striker's trajectory

There mightiness person been a fewer raised eyebrows erstwhile Nicolas Jackson was handed a two-year statement hold until 2033 by Chelsea 8 days ago.

His returns successful his debut play astatine Stamford Bridge aft his £32m move from Villarreal successful June 2023 were coagulated alternatively than stellar arsenic he netted 14 goals successful 35 Premier League games.

The mode of nan 23-year-old striker's capacity arsenic Chelsea emphatically brushed speech West Ham astatine nan London Stadium, however, shows nan club's religion successful him does not look misplaced.

A nine-year statement possibly underlines a belief astatine Stamford Bridge that he could lead nan statement for years to come.

Certainly thing seems to person stirred successful Jackson astatine nan commencement of nan 2024-25 campaign.

Chelsea leader Enzo Maresca instantly homed successful connected a salient constituent erstwhile asked by BBC Match of nan Day astir Jackson's show against nan Hammers.

"We are wholly 100% happy pinch Nicolas," he said.

"He is moving difficult since I arrived, he's very bully connected nan shot successful position of numbers. We are very happy."

The numbers Maresca refers to surely comparison favourably to past play for nan Senegal world - albeit pinch nan caveat that this run is still successful its infancy.

Jackson is averaging 0.98 goals per crippled this play compared to 0.45 successful 2023-24, while his mean xG (expected goals) truthful acold is 0.81 versus 0.60.

He is besides having much shots - 2.0 v 1.3 - 5 games into nan 2024-25 play than successful his erstwhile run for nan Blues.

In position of large chances scored (1.0 v 0.4) and missed (0.5 v 0.8) Jackson's numbers look to show a much objective separator to his game.

Football expert Statman Dave said: "Nicolas Jackson underperformed his xG by astir six goals past season.

"This year, he's already overperforming and could beryllium connected for a really bully year."

Jackson has had a manus successful 23 goals crossed his past 29 Premier League starts for Chelsea (16 goals, 7 assists), including 11 extremity involvements successful his past 10 starts (eight goals, 3 assists).

After nan triumph he said his assurance was "growing higher" pinch his team-mates and "they person confidence" successful him.

Since nan commencement of 2023-24, Jackson and Chelsea team-mate Cole Palmer person mixed for 10 Premier League goals - astatine slightest 2 much than immoderate different duo successful nan English apical flight.

"Everybody knows he (Jackson) is simply a apical player. The Chelsea fans and players complaint him highly - we cognize what he is tin of," Palmer told TNT Sports.

Equally optimistically for Chelsea fans was nan early signs of a rapport connected nan transportation betwixt Jackson and caller signing Jadon Sancho, who mixed good for nan first extremity against nan Hammers.

It was his 2nd goal, though, that caught nan oculus of erstwhile Chelsea striker Demba Ba who said connected X that Jackson gave a "masterclass connected creating space".

"How he gets nan defender retired of position and gets successful location is apical level," added compatriot Ba. "Even amended than nan finishing itself."

Former Chelsea and West Ham midfielder Joe Cole said Jackson was still "learning his trade" arsenic a "younger man and a young player" aft he compared his commencement astatine Stamford Bridge to 1 of nan club's legendary Premier League players.

"People talked astir Didier Drogba's first 2 seasons erstwhile he wasn't arsenic prolific arsenic he later became. Nevertheless, he [Jackson] has scored nan goals and he will get better," Cole told TNT Sports.

"He needs to conscionable support improving, beryllium a spot much composed and [gain] much confidence. He will bounce into nan adjacent crippled now."