Since returning from injury, Nicolas Jackson has found it hard to produce his best form despite having played all but one of the games since the March internationals.

Missing out of action for over 2 months, Jackson appears to be way off the pace and his usual self at the moment.

Loose touches and a lack of conviction in his actions has seen Jackson look a shadow of his former self since returning from a hamstring injury. 

Jackson isn’t the only one guilty of misfiring in front of goal as his partner Cole Palmer has also found goals hard to come by in the second half of the season.

Last netting in the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on the 14th of January, 2025, Cole Palmer’s struggles in front of goal have come as a surprise considering his form coming into this year. 

A duo boasting of 36 league goals contributions (Palmer 14 goals, 8 assists/ Jackson 9 goals and 5 assists) but now struggling to find the back of the net even against Conference league opponents, sure raises cause for concerns.

Shot of any iota of confidence, Palmer has now become extremely rash in front of goal and tends to overthink his actions when around the box.

Now attracting more attention from opposing players, Palmer is learning how to cope with the added attention and pressure of being the team’s main-man. 

What is the solution? 

One option Enzo Maresca has exploited is moving Palmer across the centre of the pitch.

The Italian manager has played Palmer through the centre, slightly to the left as a LCM and also as a RCM, all depending on the opponent and the coach’s thinking of our best to weaponise the Englishman. 

Despite all options exploited by the manager seem to amount to the same result. 

However, one option yet to be exploited in the league this season by Maresca is playing Palmer as an inverted right wing, where he’s away from the attention of opponent’s midfield and can ghost in behind defenses with his brilliant timing of runs.

Last season, Palmer played most parts of the season as a right wing with an overlapping right back in Gusto, aiding him to cut inside on his stronger left foot, with the whole of the goal to aim at.

A return to that position might just be the distraction the former City man needs to get back scoring. 

Another option for change could be up top, where Jackson presently occupies.

The Senegalese striker has found good form hard to come by even before injuring his hamstring in February.

Despite recognising his importance to the team, Maresca might have to take a hard decision and start teenage sensation Tyrique George in the place of the former Villarreal man in the next game.

In this case, Maresca will hope the striker can make a key difference off the bench and rediscover his goal scoring touch, whilst taking pressure off him as a starter.

The league season is almost over and every game could be costly in the hunt for the UCL places, leaving the margin for errors at the barest minimum as teams fight for their various season’s targets.