The turbulence at Stamford Bridge in the last few years has resulted in multiple Chelsea players receiving widespread criticism for their performances.
There’s been a huge injection of cash from the current Chelsea owners to assemble this talented but very young Blues squad. As a result, the pressure and expectation on this youthful group is tough.
Pat Nevin praised Chelsea’s young team for going toe to toe with Arsenal before the international break in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Blues head coach Enzo Maresca is definitely showing he’s the right man to gel this squad together, with several individuals really shining for him in the opening few months of the season.
Rio Ferdinand says Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson gets unjust criticism
Premier League legend Rio Ferdinand has jumped to the defence of Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson by saying that the player sometimes gets unfair criticism.
“I think he’s (Jackson) been unfairly criticised at times in the media by different people and different publications,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
There’s no doubt that Jackson has received a fair amount of stick since he joined the Blues in a £32m deal (The Guardian) in the summer of 2023.
While the 23-year-old striker has frustrated supporters at times with his inconsistent finishing, he’s clearly a very talented young attacker. In 56 Chelsea appearances, the centre-forward has 23 goals and nine assists.
According to Shaun Wright-Phillips and Shay Given, Chelsea star Jackson is the Premier League’s most improved player when it comes this 2024/25 season.
The Senegal international is thriving in Maresca’s system as the first-choice striker, even keeping talented teammate Christopher Nkunku out of the starting XI.
Nicolas Jackson is proving his doubters wrong
If Jackson continues on this current path, his early struggles at Chelsea will soon be a thing of the past. For what it’s worth, Blues legend Didier Drogba took some time getting up to full speed at Stamford Bridge before growing into a superstar.
Darren Bent says Jackson is perfect in Chelsea’s current system with his superb all-round game.
The striker’s spot in the line-up feels secure because he does so much on and off the ball, but outsiders will largely judge him on his attacking output.
Jackson has six goals in 11 Premier League games this season. Next, he’ll be hoping to add to that tally during Saturday’s trip to Leicester City.
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