Kalidou Koulibaly tips Chelsea player other than Cole Palmer to win the Ballon d’Or

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The Chelsea first team squad now looks a lot different to how it did when the new owners came in for their first summer transfer window.

One of the marquee signings in that time was Kalidou Koulibaly, who many were tipping to be the finishing touches on what could have been an immense defence under Thomas Tuchel.

However, the Senegal international was gone within a year after he failed to live up to the standards required at Stamford Bridge.

The following summer saw Chelsea recruit in a far smarter way as they looked to give the right backing to manager at the time Mauricio Pochettino.

One of those brought in was Nicolas Jackson, who has developed into a very strong player under Enzo Maresca.

Kalidou Koulibaly tips Nicolas Jackson to win the Ballon d’Or

Jackson has formed a great relationship with Cole Palmer, something that is no doubt helpful considering the immense ability the England international has.

Koulibaly has been left really impressed with his international teammate, saying to GiveMeSport that he believes he has the chance to win the Ballon d’Or with his ability.

He said: “I hope he will continue to score. We know for all strikers life is goals, and Nicolas is no different. He has a good attitude and personality. And for me, he’ll become the story of Senegal, just like Sadio Mane did.

“I am always telling him he has to follow Mane. And I hope he will be the best player in Africa and why not in the world? He has the talent, so all things are at his feet.

“Nicolas has to believe he can be this good. That is the most important thing. All the players who have won the Ballon d’Or believed they could. They all thought they could win this trophy. So you have to put this in Nicolas’ head.

“Of course, I don’t tell him to be selfish and ignore his teammates, but he has to think about the Ballon d’Or, and if you put this image in his head, he can achieve it. And that’s what I tell him all the time.”

Jackson keeping Christopher Nkunku out of Chelsea side

Perhaps the best compliment that can be paid to Jackson this season is that he has completely kept Christopher Nkunku out of the Chelsea side for Premier League games.

The Frenchman is scoring goals for fun in the cup games this season, although the starting striker’s importance to everything else on the pitch is crucial.

There is little doubt that after the defeat in the Carabao Cup that Jackson will be back in the starting side when the Blues make the trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.

It will be their opponents’ first game in the league since the sacking of Erik ten Hag.