What Ian Wright said about Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in April now looks very interesting

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Nicolas Jackson has only been a Chelsea player for less than 18 months, but he’s been such a big talking point since his move to England.

Nicolas Jackson, 23, left Villarreal and moved to Chelsea in the summer transfer window of 2023. So far, the centre-forward has had an up and down time at Stamford Bridge.

Despite scoring 17 goals across all competitions in his first season as a Blues player, Jackson did receive a fair amount of criticism for his impact leading the line. His finishing was erratic at times, while there were question marks about his all-round play.

In this current 2024/25 season, the Senegalese striker has been excellent with six goals and three assists in his 12 appearances across all competitions.

Gianfranco Zola explains Chelsea frontman Jackson is getting better, pinning part of that down to the team around him improving this term.

READ MORE: Who is Nicolas Jackson? Profile, Transfer, Wage, Family and More

What Ian Wright said about Nicolas Jackson in April

While there’s a pause for November’s international break, it’s very interesting to look back on what Ian Wright said about Chelsea’s Jackson earlier this year.

During a conversation on his Wrighty’s House podcast back in April, he suggested that the Blues striker could come good under the right manager after a challenging debut season in English football.

Wright commented on Jackson: “If he gets that goalscoring right there is something in there, I’m telling you. He did some brilliant stuff. I have seen flashes that under the right manager, and if he has the energy and the mind and personality for it, this guy has got something. I am telling you.”

In fairness, Jackson definitely looks like he’s levelled up since Enzo Maresca became the new Chelsea manager in the summer. He’s receiving widespread praise from fans, teammates and the media this season, too. In fact, Shaka Hislop called Chelsea’s Jackson the Premier League’s most improved player.

There’s an argument to be made that it’s a natural progression for the young striker as he adapts to a new country and new teammates, but Maresca’s deserves credit for the way he’s deployed him.

Nicolas Jackson in his first season vs second season

It’s only a few months into this 2024/25 campaign, but let’s see how Jackson compares from his first year to his second year at Chelsea.

If Jackson can push close to the 20-goal mark this season, he could be the long-term answer to the No.10 position for the Blues.

Chelsea are delighted by Jackson’s improvement in front of goal, which is certainly something that’s becoming more noticeable with some extra calmness in the final third. With Christopher Nkunku breathing down his neck for the starting position, he can’t afford to take his foot off the gas after an eye-catching start.