Current Problem, One Thing Nicolas Jackson Need To Turn #Chelsea Form Around—–Chelsea fans need no reminder that their side has gone through the month of September without scoring a Premier League goal, and much of the focus has fallen upon striker Nicolas Jackson as a result.
Blues were quite happy when Kai Havertz was sold to Arsenal in the summer, reasoning that nothing could be worse than the Germany international. And yet, they have wound up with Jackson, whose finishing has been the subject of ridicule from opposing fans and worry from the Stamford Bridge stands.
His poor run continued against Aston Villa at the weekend, with Armando Broja, who is coming back from a year out with serious injury, the only other serious option at No.9 presently.
Mauricio Pochettino defended the 22-year-old after the 1-0 loss, claiming that he’s young and needs to learn, but after the former Villarreal striker picked up a fifth booking in six games, sealing a ban, it’s clear that he’s feeling the pressure.
Jackson was signed primarily because of the 11 goals he scored in LaLiga last season but also because of the four assists that he chipped in.
There have been few signs of a deadly finisher since he arrived at Chelsea, despite Pochettino touting him to become one of the best forwards in Premier League history.
What is positive, though, is the situations that Jackson is finding himself in.
Despite scoring only once across five matches, he has accumulated an Expected Goals (xG) tally of 3.71.
Having a high figure here is something of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it shows that he is being found in good areas, but on the other, his one goal so far shows that he is missing these big chances. An ‘average’ finisher would have three or four strikes to their credit this season.
Without becoming too technical, when Jackson’s expected goals and expected assists per 90 are combined, he should be contributing just under a goal per game to Chelsea. Clearly this would make an enormous difference.
Contrast this with last season at Villarreal, when he achieved an unsustainable total of 15 goals and assists when just eight were expected. He was nearly twice as good as average last season but has not been half as good as it this time around.
Jackson was never going to be able to sustain the statistics he put up with Villarreal on a long-term basis, but his ability to constantly get himself into good areas does suggest that an improvement will come.
Mauricio Pochettino argued after the Villa loss that his striker needs time to learn, and provide it he gets it, the goals will surely start to come again.
Chelsea must ensure they’ve got the patience for them to arrive. The project could depend on it.
