Nicolas Jackson’s performance in his first four Premier League games for Chelsea has been underwhelming, with only one goal to his name so far. However, there is still great potential in the young striker. Fans can watch Bournemouth vs Chelsea live on Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm on Sunday, with kick-off at 2pm.
Jackson has faced criticism for his missed opportunities, including a point-blank miss against Nottingham Forest last weekend. Opta stats show that he has missed six big chances in four games, the highest number in the league this season. Other notable misses include a wayward shot against Liverpool and a header over the bar against West Ham.
The underlying numbers also indicate Jackson’s struggles. He has an expected goal total of 3.03, but has only managed to find the back of the net once. This negative differential is the highest in the league.
Given these performances, there are doubts about Jackson’s ability to be the cutting edge that Chelsea needs. However, manager Mauricio Pochettino has expressed his belief in the young striker. Pochettino has stated that once Jackson settles into the Premier League, he has no doubt that he can become one of the greatest strikers in the league.
Despite his misses, there are positives to take from Jackson’s performances. He frequently finds himself in goal-scoring positions, with only three players having more shots than him this season. If penalties are excluded, Jackson ranks second for expected goals, behind only Erling Haaland.
The key lesson here is that shot volume is crucial for strikers. Jackson’s high number of shots bodes well for his future success, especially considering he is still adapting to a new team and playing style.
Jackson has also shown his work-rate and mobility, which fit well with Pochettino’s high-intensity playing style. He ranks top among all players for sprints and has made the most off-the-ball runs in the league. His movement causes problems for defenses and creates space for his teammates, as seen with Raheem Sterling’s improved performances since Jackson’s arrival.
Overall, despite his misses, Jackson’s potential and contributions to the team make him a player worth keeping faith in. Chelsea’s recruitment strategy may be questioned, but Jackson should be seen as part of the solution rather than the problem.
To watch Nicolas Jackson in action, tune in to the Bournemouth vs Chelsea game on Sky Sports Premier League from 1pm on Sunday, with kick-off at 2pm.
Source link