Nicolas Jackson for Ballon d'Or? Chelsea star 'can achieve it'

Tom Weber

• Updated: 1 Nov 2024 09:19 GMT
• 3 min read

Former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly believes that Nicolas Jackson can win the Ballon d'Or if he puts his mind to it.

The 23-year-old is in an awkward spot at Chelsea. Though he made negative headlines for missing big chances last season, Jackson is actually one of the most reliable strikers in the Premier League.

The Senegal international netted 14 goals in 35 Premier League outings last term and he is already up to six in nine games this season. Despite Jackson's form, Chelsea continue to be linked with big-name strikers such as Victor Osimhen.

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There is an argument to be made that the Blues would be better off saving the money it would require to sign someone of the calibre of the on-loan Galatasaray striker and strengthening other areas of Enzo Maresca's team.

Indeed, former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly believes that Jackson is the future of the club.

Jackson tipped for Ballon d'Or glory

Speaking to Ben Jacobs, the Al-Hilal star went so far as to claim that his Senegal teammate can win the Ballon d'Or if he puts his mind to it. "We know for all strikers life is goals, and Nicolas is no different. He has a good attitude and personality," Koulibaly said.

"And for me, he'll become the story of Senegal, just like Sadio Mane did. I am always telling him he has to follow Mane. And I hope he will be the best player in Africa and why not in the world? He has the talent, so all things are at his feet.

"Nicolas has to believe he can be this good. That is the most important thing. All the players who have won the Ballon d'Or believed they could. They all thought they could win this trophy. So you have to put this in Nicolas' head.

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"Of course, I don't tell him to be selfish and ignore his teammates, but he has to think about the Ballon d'Or, and if you put this image in his head, he can achieve it. And that's what I tell him all the time.

"Nicolas has to think he can be the best in Senegal and one of the best in the world, and then he will become one of the best in the world. He has to continue to work. With work, he can reach every objective.

"So I hope he will do at least what Mane did, and be in the top three of the Ballon d'Or. That would be really amazing for him."