Arsenal legend Wright heaps praise on 'brilliant' Chelsea signing

Cameron Smith

Updated: 29 Apr 2024 17:09 BST
3 min read

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has backed Nicolas Jackson to be a success at Chelsea, despite a difficult debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

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The 22-year-old joined the Blues for €37 million from Villarreal last summer and he has been widely criticised for his poor finishing since arriving in the Premier League.

Jackson has missed 21 big chances in the English top flight this season, the third-most of any player behind Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez, while only Dominic Calvert-Lewin has underperformed his xG by a larger amount than the Chelsea man.

However, his all-round game has caught the eye and Wright believes Jackson has the potential to become a brilliant Premier League player.

He said on the Wrighty’s House Podcast: “I’m seeing Nicolas Jackson, by the way… I’ve got to mention him.

“I watched him fully again [during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa] and I have watched him in the last three or four games and the chances that he has missed always take precedent when people are talking about him, but I am seeing that guy’s pace, his link, his touch.

“Something is happening there. If he gets that goalscoring right there is something in there, I’m telling you.

“He did some brilliant stuff against Villa. I hope it can happen for him. I have seen flashes and if he has the energy and the personality for it, this guy has got something. I am telling you.”

Chelsea are “happy” with Nicolas Jackson - Fabrizio Romano

Following Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano told CaughtOffside: “Nicolas Jackson is being made a bit of a scapegoat after missing some big chances, but it’s his first season, coming from Villarreal, and he’s still very young.

“We need to understand that players are not robots, it’s been a difficult season for Chelsea but Jackson scored an important number of goals and the club believes he has an important potential.

“They will give him time for sure, they are still very happy with a signing they completed for a normal fee."