“My message to him” – Joe Cole gives one advice to Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson after the ‘stick’ he’s received
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Navigating the Criticism
Nicolas Jackson, a 23-year-old striker, has experienced a rollercoaster start to his Chelsea career. While his record of 21 goals in 50 games since joining in the summer of 2023 is impressive, he’s still faced his fair share of critics—both from pundits and fans alike.
Pressure at Stamford Bridge
There’s no denying the enormous pressure on whoever leads the Chelsea frontline, especially considering recent struggles in the striker position. However, Jackson is beginning to prove that he might just be the long-term solution the club has been seeking.
A Promising Start
Tim Sherwood has pointed out that Jackson hasn’t always received the credit he’s due. Nonetheless, his performances this season are gradually winning people over. With four goals in Chelsea’s opening five Premier League matches, the signs are promising.
Joe Cole’s Encouragement
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole is thrilled with Jackson’s current form. Speaking on TNT Sports, he shared some advice for the young forward, urging him to remain confident and keep working on his game.
“He’s had a lot of criticism,” Cole acknowledged. “But he’s a young striker honing his craft, and he’s doing so on one of the biggest stages. He’s scoring goals, and I just hope he stays confident. He had a fantastic preseason and showed his quality with a brilliant second goal against West Ham.”
Cole emphasized the importance of ongoing improvement: “Just keep developing, keep learning, and continue improving your game. You’ve put in tremendous effort for the team, and it’s clear the manager believes in you. You’re in a good spot right now.”
Competition Drives Improvement
One of the positives at Chelsea currently is the fierce competition for places, particularly in attack. Head coach Enzo Maresca now has two strong options in almost every position on the pitch.
As of now, Jackson holds the starting striker role in Chelsea’s best XI. However, teammate Christopher Nkunku is close behind, creating healthy competition. While Nkunku has primarily found the net in cup competitions, Jackson has focused on scoring in the Premier League.
The Striker Dilemma Solved?
In the past, Chelsea struggled to find even one world-class striker. Now, the question arises: could the club have two top forwards at the same time? If both Jackson and Nkunku continue their current form, Chelsea might finally have the striking power they’ve been missing.
