Pat Nevin predicts how many goals Nicolas Jackson could score for Chelsea this season

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Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is joint-third in the Premier League goalscoring chart right now.

Nicolas Jackson scored two goals against West Ham United last weekend, taking his tally to four.

Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (10) and Liverpool’s Luis Diaz (five) have netted on more occasions than the 23-year-old.

Jackson has made a solid start to the season, but that has not stopped Chelsea from looking at other centre-forwards. It has been reported that Chelsea are following Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen.

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Pat Nevin discusses Nicolas Jackson’s performance against West Ham

Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin was not impressed with West Ham in their 3-0 defeat against his old side.

Nevertheless, he still praised Jackson’s tremendous pace and thinks the Senegal international can score 20 goals in the Premier League for the Blues this season.

Writing for BBC Sport, Nevin said: “Was it his incredible pace or was it West Ham’s defenders simply being quite slow at this level? Probably a bit of both, but Jackson is seriously rapid, among the quickest in the league.

“Considering Chelsea’s midfield creativity, with his speed and just average finishing, Jackson could top 20 league goals this season, the accepted bar for a top striker on form. With Cole Palmer capable of doing at least as well after his 22 league goals last season, this would make them a real threat as a top-four team.”

Andros Townsend raved about Jackson, too, following his brace at the London Stadium last Saturday.

Can Nicolas Jackson score 20 goals in the Premier League this season?

If Jackson remains Chelsea’s first-choice striker for the rest of the campaign, then it is possible. However, that is not guaranteed.

Christopher Nkunku is pushing to be a starter. He just scored a hat-trick against Barrow in the third round of the Carabao Cup after netting the winner away at Bournemouth earlier this month.

And again, Chelsea still appear to be on the lookout for another No.9. For now, though, Jackson really should be aiming for 20 league goals.

The former Villarreal man did not finish far off that last season, scoring 14 times. John Obi Mikel thinks Jackson is improving and if the forward continues to, sooner or later, he will have a 20-goal season in the English top flight.

Jackson will be hoping to add to his tally on Saturday when Chelsea welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Stamford Bridge.