“He’s not a player that can win you league or gives you top4” – Craig Burley warns Enzo MAresca to replace Chelsea star or he will get him sacked
It has been pointed out to Enzo Maresca that Nicolas Jackson might not serve as a long-term answer to Chelsea’s striker issues if the club aims to contend for major trophies.
On Tuesday evening, the Senegalese forward, aged 23, set up Cole Palmer for the first goal in Chelsea’s 2–2 tie with Bournemouth. Jackson’s ongoing difficulties in scoring persisted, as he did not manage to find the net, hit the post, and squandered crucial opportunities.
Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley, speaking to ESPN, believes Jackson has exceeded expectations but is not the calibre of striker needed for a title-challenging team:
“There’s been more good than bad from Nicolas Jackson this season. Ultimately, I think he’s a player, a bit like Kai Havertz at Arsenal, who would be good at coming off the bench or playing in cup games.”
Burley stressed the importance of signing a top-class No. 9, suggesting that Jackson could serve as a rotational player instead:
“You need a top No. 9 and then you have him on the side. He’s having a decent season, but I’m sure Enzo Maresca will need to address that position among others.”
Despite his criticism, Burley acknowledged Jackson’s progress this season:
“I’ve given Jackson a lot of credit because I didn’t even think he had it in him to produce the performances he has so far this season. He’s surpassed most people’s expectations.”
However, he cautioned against overestimating Jackson’s impact: “That doesn’t mean he’s the second coming of Drogba and he’s going to be the answer. But that’s what they have at the moment.”
Burley also raised doubts about Christopher Nkunku’s ability to fill the No. 9 role:
“Maybe at one point they thought Christopher Nkunku was going to be that guy, but that doesn’t look like the case.”
As Chelsea aim to compete for silverware, Burley concluded that the club needs to prioritise signing a world-class striker:
He concluded: “Most of these teams challenging for titles have had someone up front who is different gravy, while Nicolas Jackson is just okay. He has his moments, but we will see more of those misses than we will of the really good Nico Jackson.”