Why the pressure is STILL on Nicolas Jackson despite Chelsea form

Chelsea’s biggest priority over the summer was to bring in a new marquee striker and there were some fears when the window closed with Nicolas Jackson still the club’s main number nine.

But the Senegalese forward has silenced critics with his start to the season, grabbing four goals and two assists in his opening five Premier League appearances.

Jackson was seemingly given a vote of confidence by Chelsea over the summer to lead the line for Enzo Maresca ahead of bringing in rumoured targets like Samu Omorodion and Jhon Duran.

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Both players were close to joining the Blues across the summer but neither deal was closed, however the pair, like Jackson, have also begun the season in prolific form.

It remains to be seen whether Jackson can continue his form throughout the season, with the criticism surrounding him leaning more on his consistency rather than his ability.

The pressure will still be on the 23-year-old to prove his credentials over the course of the season, with players both inside and outside of Stamford Bridge breathing down Jackson’s neck ready to take his place up front at any sign of weakness.

Chelsea alternatives keeping heat on Jackson

Duran was close to signing for Chelsea in June after the Blues and Aston Villa conducted a number of deals with each other to get around PSR constraints ahead of the deadline.

A deal for Duran never got over the line, with Villa demanding in excess of €50 million for the 20-year-old, who himself has four Premier League goals this season in just 131 minutes of action.

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Omorodion, meanwhile, was perhaps even closer to moving to Stamford Bridge as part of the deal that eventually took Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid, however Chelsea backed out of the transfer at the last minute, allegedly due to a medical issue.

The 20-year-old ended up joining Porto for €15m – a fraction of the price Chelsea were willing to pay due to a hefty sell-on clause and Atletico also retaining a portion of his ownership.

Omoridon has also scored in all four of his appearances this season, something that Chelsea will no doubt be observing if they do feel the need to add additional firepower next summer.

Part of Chelsea’s calm over their front line has been the form of Christopher Nkunku, who has six goals in all competitions after returning to fitness this season.

Maresca indicated he saw Nkunku and Jackson as his strikers this season and, with 10 goals between the pair, Chelsea’s attacking options look to be thriving.

However, another injury to Nkunku or Jackson’s inconsistency returning could lead to Chelsea turning back to old targets like Duran or Omorodion, giving Maresca a perhaps enjoyable conundrum to have after a summer of uncertainty with his strikers.