“Prove this now” – Nicolas Jackson receives strong Chelsea warning ahead of next season
William Gallas has warned Nicolas Jackson he needs to score at least 15 goals for Chelsea this season, or risk getting replaced with another striker this summer.
Jackson joined the Blues from Spanish club, Villarreal last summer for a fee around £32m.
The 22-year-old has however proven not to be the striker many expected, after scoring just nine goals at this stage of the campaign.
Chelsea are said to be dissatisfied with the return, and have now been linked with a new striker in the summer, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, and Sporting Lisbon forward, Victor Gyökeres among their top targets.
Gallas has now told Jackson he must learn to be more clinical in front of goal, as that could be the only way he saves himself from losing his spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
“We have to see how many goals Nicolas Jackson will score, he has eight at the moment,” the Frenchman told Genting Casino.
“If Jackson cannot reach 15 Premier League goals or more, then Chelsea need a top striker, because at the moment they don’t have it.
“Nicolas Jackson has to prove now. If he doesn’t reach between 15 and 20 Premier League goals, it will be difficult for him to keep a place in the team next season. Chelsea will sign a new striker.
“He has to take his opportunities now, whilst he has them, he needs to work very hard and become more consistent. That’s what it takes to play at a big club like Chelsea.”
His lack of goals aside, we’ve seen Nicolas Jackson improve on other fronts, and he hasn’t been a bad signing at all. The young forward has improved in his hold-up play, and he can equally play from the side.