Chelsea Nicolas Jackson Calls for More Criticism: ‘It Drives Me to Improve’
Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has embraced the scrutiny that followed his move to Stamford Bridge, suggesting it has fueled his growth and helped him become one of the top strikers in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old Senegal international joined Chelsea from Villarreal in June 2023 for £32 million. Initially, Jackson faced skepticism over his consistency, particularly due to the number of missed chances in his debut Premier League season. However, the striker’s determination and ability to handle criticism have allowed him to thrive.
In an interview with the Premier League’s Big Interview, Jackson shared his unique mindset:
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Embed from Getty Images“I want to hear people say bad things about me! Criticise me on the pitch, it’s nice…it helps you, I love this, you know. I’ve not made it here yet, I’m just improving. Making it is scoring every week, 20 to 30 goals, or winning trophies.”
A Rising Force Behind Haaland
While Erling Haaland remains unmatched as the Premier League’s leading forward with 76 goals and 13 assists in just 81 appearances, Jackson is carving out his place as one of the best of the rest.
Jackson has scored 22 goals and provided eight assists in 49 Premier League appearances since joining Chelsea. Notably, all of his goals have come from open play, contrasting with Haaland’s tally, which includes 15 penalties.
Although Jackson hasn’t scored a hat-trick in over a year, his contributions remain consistent, with a goal or assist in 14 of his last 27 league games. His versatility and ability to influence matches in various ways underline his value to Chelsea’s attack.
Competition Among the Best
Jackson’s main rival for the title of the Premier League’s second-best forward behind Haaland is Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. Watkins has contributed seven goals and six assists in his last 20 top-flight matches, highlighting his creativity but falling short of Jackson’s recent scoring consistency.
Chelsea fans and head coach Enzo Maresca will hope Jackson’s upward trajectory continues as he leads the line for the Blues in their pursuit of success in domestic and European competitions.
Chelsea Nicolas Jackson Calls for More Criticism: ‘It Drives Me to Improve’
