Deja-vu! That’s the word ringing through the speakers at Stamford Bridge after lightning didn’t just strike twice but three solid times as Brentford became the first team to win three consecutive games at Stamford Bridge.
Senegalese striker Nicholas Jackson as expected led the Chelsea line against Brentford and his performance leaves much to be desired.
For a team harboring at least Champions League qualification aspirations this season, a striker as lethargic in front of goal as Jackson is terrible soil for such dreams to germinate into reality.
2 goals in 9 games for the Blues is a bad return despite expectations being much more tempered due to the fee Chelsea parted with to secure the striker’s services from Spanish team, Villarreal.
A good outlet on his day, it is no fault of Jackson’s that a team with huge aspirations depends on him as a main source of goals considering the fact the 22 year-old has never been a prolific striker during his short career so far (Total of 12 goals for Villarreal 2021-2022/23)
Completing 2/2 dribbles from 43 touches, Jackson’s tendency to rather take players on when others are in better positions to receive a pass tends to frustrate Pochettino and on-looking fans.
Further complimenting the claim that Jackson isn’t a sufficient goal-scoring source is how often he tends to scuff his strikes at goal and just never seems convincing with the ball inside the 18-yard box.
Posing little to no aerial threat whatsoever as evident in Jackson’s 1/3 aerial duels won today means the Chelsea striker lacks presence in the box when his teammates look to play crosses, often making the wrong type of run or not making any movement at all.
With the Winter transfer window about 8 weeks away, the striker position is without doubt where the present Chelsea squad needs strengthening.
It remains to be seen what option(s) Pochettino and his staff opt for considering recent rumors that the Argentine is set for a bigger role in transfer matters.
Conclusion :
Considering the 3 names Chelsea have been most linked to in recent weeks; Victor Osimhen, Ivan Toney and Benjamin Sesko, which amongst those best compliments the present crop of Chelsea’s attacking options?
Other names aside from those listed above could be mentioned as well.
