Alan Pardew has said that he was wrong about Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson ahead of the EFL Cup final against Liverpool.
The former Newcastle United manager was surprised by how Jackson played for Chelsea against Manchester City.
So, what has Alan Pardew said about Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson? Let’s take a look.
Praise for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson
Well, Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester City away from home at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Nicolas Jackson started the match for the Blues. Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino deployed the £31.8 million (The Guardian) the 22-year-old upfront in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The striker was a problem for the City defenders with his pace and aggression. He also worked very hard.
The Senegal international striker provided the assist for Raheem Sterling’s goal for Chelsea in the 42nd minute, and former West Ham United manager Alan Pardew was impressed.
The talkSPORT pundit has said that he did not think that Jackson could play the way he did against City, adding that he could help Chelsea beat Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the final of the EFL Cup next weekend.
Pardew said about Jackson on talkSPORT (8:24 pm, February 18, 2024): “And Jackson yesterday put on a fantastic centre-forward’s performance, by the way, which I didn’t think he had in him. I thought he was absolutely brilliant yesterday. If he produces that on Sunday, then they have got a chance.”
My View: Nicolas Jackson is an important player for Chelsea
In my opinion, Nicolas Jackson is one of the best and most important players for Chelsea.
Yes, Jackson has not been ‘great’ for the Blues this season, but he is only 22 now and is in his first season at the London club.
Chelsea as a team have not been playing well this season, and we have to acknowledge that it has affected Jackson.
The striker has done well on occasions. He just needs to be more consistent and perhaps a bit more clinical.
Jackson has scored nine goals and given three assists in 27 appearances for Chelsea this season. The striker’s goal conversion rate is 20% and his shot accuracy rate is 58%.