The turnaround of Chelsea in the recent 2024/25 season has been nothing short of spectacular. If you’re a Chelsea fan, we know you’ll be happy after the shocking 23/24 season. And, finally, all the money Chelsea loves to spend is paying off.
Under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, using a more roadhouse playing style, scoring a total of 37 goals, competitively valiantly on multiple fronts.
But at the heart of this transformation is the Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson, who has become a key asset for the Blues. But the question still stands: Has he really secured himself a key role at Chelsea?
A Prolific Start
It is safe to say that Nicolas Jackson has played a significant role in helping Chelsea achieve the season’s goals. He might not get as much attention as Cole Palmer, or should we say ‘Cold’ Palmer, but he is having an incredible season. Having scored 9 times and made 3 assists in domestic competitions, he is most consistent with his contributions.
His goal-scoring capabilities in important games, like facing West Ham and defeating them 3-0, which saw him score 2 and assist Cole Palmer, make him a crucial member of the team.
Having scored 3 game-winning goals in 2024 alone, it’s no surprise that Jackson is dependable and Chelsea’s top goalscorer.
Tactical Fit
The reason Enzo Maresca has Jackson playing at his full potential is because of his tactical approach.
Pochettino had Jackson in his first season sharing the goal with all the players, but now under Enzo, he has been given the role as the goals-desired player in the attacking Chelsea team with Palmer.
With this being said, his average number of touches per game has decreased, but the number of touches per game inside the opposition’s penalty box has increased by 20.7% compared to last season’s 14.7%.
The combination of his pressing with his aggressive style has been an absolute nightmare for defenders. It’s why Jackson has been so essential in Maresca’s fast-paced style of play.
Comparing Jackson to The Elite
On the basis of his statistics this particular season, it’s fair to say that Jackson sits among the elite.
Out of 14 of the top players, Jackson is second for expected goals in 90 minutes, sitting behind Erling Haaland. He has also scored 19% of his non-penalty attempts, which is a lot more than some of the considered top players.
While he did have a few moments of inconsistency, missing several opportunities, his output is still good anyway.
Room for Improvement
One essential thing to note, which Maresca has emphasised, is the need to be more efficient in one-on-one finishing situations and link-up plays. With Chelsea aiming to improve their attacking unit by signing Victor Osimhen this January window, Jackson will have tough competition ahead of him.
This can either make him strive for more or test his capabilities to hold the position as the first-choice striker. But as they say, competition breeds excellence, and Jackson should be able to rise up to the occasion with his willingness to learn from Maresca. Should he achieve these requirements, he will be the exact type of player that will dominate and complete the striker’s role in the team.
Without a doubt, Nicolas Jackson has been essential this season by every means imaginable. His goal contributions and his work rate have deemed him an essential asset for Chelsea during Enzo Maresca’s era. He still has some catching up to do; however, the road ahead looks bright for him.
