Nicolas Jackson: Chelsea striker’s ‘masterclass’ shows Premier League trajectory of striker

Jackson has had a hand in 23 goals across his last 29 Premier League starts for Chelsea (16 goals, seven assists), including 11 goal involvements in his last 10 starts (eight goals, three assists).

After the win he said his confidence was “growing higher” with his team-mates and “they have confidence” in him.

Since the start of 2023-24, Jackson and Chelsea team-mate Cole Palmer have combined for 10 Premier League goals – at least two more than any other duo in the English top flight.

“Everybody knows he (Jackson) is a top player. The Chelsea fans and players rate him highly – we know what he is capable of,” Palmer told TNT Sports.

Equally optimistically for Chelsea fans was the early signs of a rapport on the pitch between Jackson and new signing Jadon Sancho, who combined well for the first goal against the Hammers.

It was his second goal, though, that caught the eye of former Chelsea striker Demba Ba who said on X that Jackson gave a “masterclass on creating space”.

“How he gets the defender out of position and gets in there is top level,” added compatriot Ba. “Even better than the finishing itself.”

Former Chelsea and West Ham midfielder Joe Cole said Jackson was still “learning his trade” as a “younger man and a young player” after he compared his start at Stamford Bridge to one of the club’s legendary Premier League players.

“People talked about Didier Drogba’s first two seasons when he wasn’t as prolific as he later became. Nevertheless, he [Jackson] has scored the goals and he will get better,” Cole told TNT Sports.

“He needs to just keep improving, be a bit more composed and [gain] more confidence. He will bounce into the next game now.”