Former Manchester United player, Gary Neville, has expressed his belief that Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson still has a lot to offer despite his tendency to miss significant scoring opportunities. Jackson’s performance has been a focal point of Chelsea’s struggles this season, as the team lacks a more reliable striker.
Christopher Nkunku, who was signed by Chelsea from RB Leipzig as a potential striker, has faced various injury challenges, leaving Jackson as a prominent option up front. Since joining Chelsea from Villarreal last summer, Jackson’s conversion rate has been criticized, with him ranking third in the league for missed big chances this season, totaling 21.
Despite this, Neville shared on his podcast that he admires the 22-year-old Senegalese forward and believes he has untapped potential. However, Neville suggested that Jackson may not be suited to being Chelsea’s primary striker.
“I actually like Nicolas Jackson. That might not be a popular opinion, but I see potential in him. He’s young, and while his price tag wasn’t exorbitant, it’s his debut full season in the Premier League. He’s managed to find the net several times and shows resilience,” Neville remarked.
“While he may not be the top choice striker, having him as a second or third option in a squad of 18 to 20 players could be valuable,” Neville added.
This season, Jackson has scored 13 goals and provided 5 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea. However, his performance in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on April 20 drew criticism, as he failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities.
Reflecting on Chelsea’s performance in that match, Neville noted, “Chelsea’s display against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final was commendable. They created numerous chances, primarily falling to Jackson, but the Senegalese striker failed to capitalize.”
“For me, Chelsea’s ownership should prioritize finding a forward who can consistently finish chances. While their performance standards may fluctuate, their potential is evident,” Neville concluded.
