Apparently, Nicolas Jackson to Chelsea is reportedly imminent. The West London club are ready to equip their frontline ahead of next season.
The Premier League side haven’t signed a new player this summer transfer window. However, they have many players on their radar before September.
The 21-year-old Senegalese has reportedly agreed on personal terms with Chelsea. His transfer is expected to cost the Blues around €35 million.
Even though the West London club are ready to pay the player’s release clause. They want to pay in installments, but the strike is close to joining the Blues.
According to several reports, the idea is for Nico Jackson to complete his move to Stamford Bridge this week. And he will sign a 5- or 6-year contract.
Despite being just 21-year-old. Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali believe the Senegalese youngster has the ability to become one of the best strikers in the world.
It’s confirmed that three other clubs are interested in signing Jackson. However, he chose to join the West London club without European competition.
Of course, Chelsea have many top strikers on their transfer list. They have the likes of Victor Osimhen, Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, and the rest.
However, it’s reported that Mauricio Pochettino personally wants Nicolas Jackson. Which means the Argentine gaffer wants to work with the Senegal international.
Even though Chelsea already have Armando Broja and David Datro Fofana. Jackson is expected to stay with the first-team under the new head coach next season.
Nicolas Jackson stats in La Liga (2022-2023)
26 games
16 goals
4 assists
20 goal contributions
G/A every 101 minutes
29% goal conversion
7 chances created
1.2 key passes per 90 minutes
1.3 successful dribbles per game
Ratings
Goals – 93%
Expected goals – 80%
Shots – 52%
Shots off target – 86%
Shots on target – 94%
Conversion – 95%
Interesting 2022-2023 stats about Nico Jackson
1. The 21-year-old Senegalese had the best shot conversion rate of any player in La Liga last season.
2. Jackson generated the 5th most goal creating actions (14) in the La Liga last campaign.
3. Having played fewer minutes, Nicolas involved in more league goals (16) than any other Villarreal player.
4. He had the best big chance conversion rate (56.3%) in La Liga in 2022-2023.
5. Speaking of players aged 21 last campaign. Nico had the best non-penalty goals (0.67) per 90 minutes.
Frankly, most Chelsea fans don’t believe in Jackson. Because he’s just 21 years old, and maybe he was a substitute for Villarreal last campaign.
However, the Senegalese striker seems ideal compared to the Blues other targets. Having seen his displays in 2022-2023, he tends to become unstoppable in the years to come.
With Nicolas Jackson to Chelsea getting more engagements. It’s most unlikely that the West London club will sign another striker for Mauricio Pochettino.
Even though the Senegal international seems cheap. They wouldn’t want to spend another €80 million on any striker, with the presence of Jackson, Fofana, and Broja.
Who is the Chelsea’s new No.9, Nicolas Jackson?
The 21-year-old striker is an African product. He was born in Gambia, but represents the Senegal national team at international level.
Nico Jackson’s early football career seemed tough and difficult. However, he fought through, becoming someone valuable in the world of football.
He picked up his first Man of the Match award in November 2018. He was then with a Senegalese named Casa Sports.
Jackson joined Villarreal in 2019, playing for the club’s B-team. Meanwhile, he scored 7 goals, continuing with Villarreal’s B-team.
Amazingly, he made it to the first-team in October 2021, making his La Liga debut. Of course, he struggled in the game, replacing Arnaut Danjuma.
Jackson scored his first goal for Villarreal in August 2022. He netted the first goal in their 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid.
Having missed his transfer move to Bournemouth in January as a result of a hamstring injury. He became unstoppable for Villarreal in the league.
Nicolas Jackson strengths and weaknesses
Of course, Chelsea have a very poor record when it comes to No.9 shirt. However, the 21-year-old Senegalese has many abilities to succeed at Stamford Bridge.
Having been the player with the best short conversion rate in La Liga last campaign. Nico has finishing as one of his biggest strengths as a striker.
Jackson plays lesser shots inside the opponent’s box. However, his shots, either outside or inside the box, are very accurate. His finishing prowess is excellent.
Despite his height (188 cm) as a footballer. He doesn’t miss too many chances, he has his own way of converting shots into goals, regardless of the competition.
Box movement is another uncommon strength of Nico Jackson. Just like Tammy Abraham, he’s very dangerous inside the opponent’s box.
The Senegalese striker literally shut down La Liga in the second phase of the 2022-2023 season. Which means he will definitely flourish in all competitions for the Blues.
As a result of his athleticism and physicality. His box movement allows him to move left and right, enjoying himself inside the opposition’s territory.
Having had many things in common with Tammy Abraham and Alexander Isak. His strength also revolves around link-up play, which makes him a creator.
Jackson registered 4 assists for Villarreal in La Liga last campaign. It was a result of his flawless link-up play with his teammates, he’s not selfish.
Despite being just 21-year-old. Nicolas is very creative as a central-forward. Which means he has the ability to create chances and spaces.
The Senegal international offers many things up front. Either he scores a goal or registers an assist. His creativity is on a different level.
Even though Jackson plays as a No.9. He’s a fantastic dribbler, with dribbling as one of his strengths. His long legs make it very easy for him on the pitch.
Statistically, Nico averages 1.3 dribbles per 90 minutes in La Liga in the 2022-2023 campaign. Of course, that’s more than many attackers in the league.
Obviously, the Senegalese youngster doesn’t only bring goals to the team. He also creates chances as a result of his ability to dribble. Jackson is a brilliant dribbler.
Nicolas seems like a special breed of striker. Because he has ball-carrying ability as another strength. He’s always confident holding onto the ball on the pitch.
The Villarreal’s product doesn’t fear taking down the opposition’s defenders. His ball crying prowess makes everything easy for him against his opponents.
In addition, Jackson is indeed an extraordinary passer. Even though he’s a striker, he makes key passes for fun, averaging 1.2 key passes per game.
Not every central-forward has good passing ability. However, Nico is kind of different, because he’s an accurate passer as a No.9.
Weaknesses
Obviously, Jackson is just 21-year-old. Therefore, he has enough room for improvement, regardless of his shortcomings or limitations.
The Senegalese central-forward is very poor at playing penalties. And that’s one of his biggest weaknesses, having many non-penalty goals.
Even though Nicolas is a great dribbler. He’s very awful at set-pieces and crossing. He usually wastes his efforts as regards the final third of passes.
Also, the 21-year-old striker’s defensive contribution is very low. He doesn’t really add anything to the team’s defensive performance.
Jackson has nothing like tackles, interceptions, or clearances. He prefers staying up front to score goals over helping the team defensively.
Despite Nico’s height (188cm). He’s very bad at aerial dueling. The Senegalese youngster is very sluggish as regards fighting for the ball in the air.
The striker isn’t good aerially, and that’s another obvious weakness of the player. However, he’s most likely to improve under Mauricio Pochettino.
Nicolas Jackson’s limitations are build-up passing, ball retention, and box defending. Frankly, the player has his own shortcomings.
Also, the Senegalese striker doesn’t hold on to the ball. He likes to link-up plays and create chances for his teammates, but he doesn’t really hold on to the ball.
Because of Jackson’s inability to fight for the ball in the air. He’s most likely to struggle in the Premier League, because the English league isn’t a joke.
Nevertheless, he may improve his aerial dueling under the Argentine gaffer. Apparently, he’s just 21-year-old, and has enough room for improvement.
What is Nicolas Jackson style of play?
Nicole Jackson’s ways of playing aren’t really different from other top strikers in Europe. As a result, he has enough qualities to offer the West London club.
The 21-year-old Senegalese loves counter-attack threats. He’s very dangerous and unstoppable in counter-attacks, relying on his dribbling skills.
Of course, it looks like Mauricio Pochettino is planning something massive next season. Because Enzo Fernández can create many counter-attack chances.
Despite the fact that the Premier League is very toxic. Nico is expected to make waves under the Argentina gaffer next season, particularly in domestic competitions.
Also, Jackson is very pacey. He usually relies on his running ability to dismantle the defender, believing so much in his long legs inside the opponent’s box.
The Senegalese striker doesn’t rely on his teammates to create chances for him. He’s kind of independent up front, creating space for himself with his pace.
Nicole Jackson, who is only 21 years old, prefers to run behind strikers. He usually makes himself invisible inside the opponent’s box, displaying good movements behind.
Just like Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur. Nico does drop deep to the midfield, linking up with his teammates, supporting the team’s display from the midfield.
As a result, he’s expected to have a nice combination with the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, and the rest next campaign.
Jackson’s link-up play ability is flawless. Because he usually makes it clean and easy, regardless of the opposition’s players or defenders in front of him.
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