What to expect from Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea?

A rising star on the radar

Nicolas Jackson might not be a household name among Chelsea fans, but that's no surprise considering the young forward has just completed his first full season as a top-flight footballer. However, his strong finish to the 2022-23 LaLiga campaign with Villarreal caught the attention of the Premier League giants, earning him a move to Stamford Bridge.

A goal-scoring sensation

Towards the end of the 2022-23 season, Nico Jackson's goal-scoring form was nothing short of sensational. He netted an impressive 10 goals in his final 11 league appearances, making him one of the in-form forwards across Europe from April onwards. In fact, from 1st April onward, no player in the top five European leagues scored more non-penalty goals than Jackson.

His clinical finishing saw him score with an incredible 40% conversion rate of his shots, averaging a goal every 80 minutes in LaLiga during that period. Surprisingly, his 10 goals during this period were even more than Chelsea's total of nine Premier League goals in the same number of games (nine in 11).

https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1685000921929916416

Missed opportunities and a fortunate twist

Nico Jackson could have made his Premier League debut earlier in 2023, as Bournemouth came close to signing him for a reported fee of £22.5 million (€26m) in January. However, a hamstring injury flagged during the medical scuttled the transfer at the last moment. Fortunately for Villarreal, Jackson stayed, and they reaped the benefits of his goalscoring prowess, eventually fetching a handsome £7.6m (€14.7m) from Chelsea when they activated his release clause of £30.1m (€35m).

Emergence as an Exciting Attacking Talent

Throughout the 2022-23 season, Nico Jackson established himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Spain, despite facing challenges in breaking into the Villarreal starting lineup. He only played 46.8% of possible minutes in LaLiga for the club, but among players who logged at least 1,500 minutes in the competition, only seven individuals had a higher combined average per 90 for non-penalty expected goals and expected assists than Jackson (0.56).

What's remarkable is that all seven of these players represented the top three Spanish clubs, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid. It's a testament to Jackson's potential and talent that he matched or even surpassed such established names at his young age.

Anticipation at Stamford Bridge

As Nico Jackson makes his way to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans are eagerly anticipating what this promising forward can bring to the club. His electrifying goal-scoring form in LaLiga has sparked excitement and optimism among the supporters. With Chelsea aiming for silverware in both domestic and European competitions, Jackson's lethal finishing and attacking prowess could prove to be a valuable addition to the team's attacking options.

Adapting to the Premier League

As with any player transitioning to the demanding and physical nature of the Premier League, there might be an adaptation period for Jackson. The English game is known for its intensity and pace, and the young forward will need to adjust to new challenges. However, with his natural talent and recent goal-scoring exploits, there are strong indications that Jackson could make a significant impact in the Premier League, especially under the guidance of Chelsea's experienced coaching staff.

In conclusion, Nico Jackson's arrival at Chelsea has captured the imagination of football fans and pundits alike. With his incredible goal-scoring abilities and potential for further growth, he has all the attributes to become a key player for the Blues. As he embarks on this new chapter in his career, all eyes will be on this rising star as he seeks to make his mark in the Premier League and carve a successful future at one of Europe's top clubs.