Paul Merson has been stunned by the performances of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in pre-season so far.
Signed for £32million from Villarreal this summer (Evening Standard), Nicolas Jackson has certainly hit the ground running in Chelsea colours.
The Blues have been on the search for a top-quality centre-forward for several years, so have they finally found one with the 22-year-old summer signing?
Jackson’s already scoring goals and providing assists for Chelsea, catching the eye in pre-season fixtures against Wrexham, Brighton and Newcastle United. In particular, the frontman has shown his calmness in front of goal with two really composed finishes.
Merson has been taken aback by the youngster’s impact already in the Blues line-up.
“Nicolas Jackson looks like a great player. He’s very lively and direct, and he doesn’t mess about. He can score a goal and make a goal as well. He’s linked up very well with [Mykhailo] Mudryk so far, and both of them have been very impressive in pre-season,” Merson told Sportskeeda.
“I’ve been very surprised with Nicolas Jackson so far. I know it’s only pre-season, but what I’ve seen has been ample. He’s a handful, and I’d definitely say that he’s going to surprise people this season.”
Of course, it’s always dangerous to read too much into pre-season form.
However, we’re taking huge positives from the fact that it looks like Jackson is adapting very quickly into a new environment and squad of teammaes.
Hopefully, he can take some of this early momentum into the Premier League opener against Liverpool in two weeks time.
His pace, composure and movement is making the Chelsea fanbase very excited about him.
Speaking to NBC Sports, Reece James has already been praising the impact of new teammate Jackson.
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