Chelsea’s summer signing, Nicolas Jackson, who arrived from Villarreal for £30.1 million, has faced criticism from former Blues defender Mario Melchiot for his consistent failure to convert golden opportunities. Despite being Mauricio Pochettino’s preferred center-forward this season, the 22-year-old has struggled to find the back of the net efficiently.
With seven Premier League goals to his name this season, Jackson’s performance has been marred by a concerning statistic – it takes him an average of 16 shots to score a single goal. In the recent 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, the Senegal international missed a significant chance and had a goal ruled out for offside, adding to the growing uncertainty surrounding his clinical finishing in the final third.
Questions have arisen about Jackson’s effectiveness as a top striker in the Premier League, with Raheem Sterling also facing criticism for not passing to the Chelsea striker in a potentially goal-scoring opportunity during the 2-1 defeat to Wolves on Christmas Eve.
Mario Melchiot’s Assessment and Advice for Nicolas Jackson
Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot, speaking to ESPN, expressed his concerns about Jackson’s performance, suggesting that the young striker is missing a crucial element to become a top Premier League striker. Melchiot acknowledged the competition in the squad and Pochettino’s assertion that Jackson needs time to develop but emphasized the need for improvement.
Melchiot pointed out that while Jackson possesses speed and power, he lacks the necessary calmness in front of goal – a quality observed in legendary Chelsea strikers from Melchiot’s era, such as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Didier Drogba. The former defender urged Jackson to work on developing this composure to ensure he becomes a reliable finisher and earns the trust of his teammates.
The Dutchman emphasized the importance of strikers having a level of assurance that prompts teammates to pass them the ball without hesitation. Melchiot cautioned that, without improvement, Jackson may face situations where teammates hesitate to provide him with goal-scoring opportunities, a scenario strikers typically strive to avoid. Despite highlighting areas for growth, Melchiot expressed optimism that, given Jackson’s age, there is still time for him to refine his skills and reach the level of composure needed to excel in front of goal.
