“Wish they both start against Liverpool”, “Pace players” – Micah Richards names two Chelsea stars who impressed him so far
Micah Richards has claimed that he has been left very impressed by two Chelsea players during the pre-season campaign so far.
He told ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast that both Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have really impressed in what has been their first few games as Blues.
The duo have been crucial for Chelsea during their tour of the United States. Their contributions helped the club go unbeaten in their campaign for the first time since 2011.
Nkunku finished it all as the club’s top scorer too, as he struck home three goals in a fashion they have simply not been used to in recent years.
However, arguably the most impressive and surprising figure in pre-season was Jackson. It has to be said there was not an unbelievable amount of hype surrounding him after he joined the club earlier in the window.
His two goals and four assists though have shown that he has the ability to lead the line already at Stamford Bridge.
Richards have claimed that the duo really impressed him as they took on the likes of Brighton, Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund in pre-season.
He said: “Pre-season, at least they have a way of style of play. Nkunku has been class. Jackson has been really good. Just some more of that direct. You know when you were watching Chelsea last season and you couldn’t quite work out what they were trying to do. It was a bit weird.
“But now they have pace, they have runners in behind, they need some more players.
It will be a big blow that Nkunku is now likely to miss the Premier League opener against Liverpool on Sunday, with him being for sure one of the first names on the teamsheet as far as Mauricio Pochettino is concerned.
There will be a chance for Jackson though to bring his pre-season form to the domestic game.