Pochettino makes lofty Jackson prediction after first Chelsea goal

25 August 2023 , 23:02

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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says new signing Nicolas Jackson "can become one of the greatest strikers in the world".

The Blues forked out around £32m to sign Jackson from Villarreal, despite the forward having played less than 50 top-flight games. They also handed him an eight-year contract and the 22-year-old has now scored his first Chelsea goal.

Jackson netted Chelsea's third as they beat Premier League new boys Luton Town 3-0 to get their first win of the season. And when asked about Jackson's performance after the game, Pochettino made a bold prediction.

"We knew his quality when we signed him, we saw that before," he told Sky Sports. "It is not that we ask him to run and press the ball, he is quality in the way he recovers the ball, but he also can finish.

"It is only a matter of time, once he settles into the Premier League, he will show it more. He has top quality. I have no doubt that he can become one of the greatest strikers in the world - the quality is amazing and it is there."

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And former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has already compared Jackson to club legend Didier Drogba. Speaking earlier this month, Sturridge said on Sky Sports: "I think the signing of Nicolas Jackson, for me, is a very good signing.

"I liken his style to a hybrid of a young Mario Balotelli in terms of the skills and the presence and strength, and Didier Drogba. Of course he doesn't have as powerful a shot as those two players but his ability around the box, his one-twos, his flicks and tricks.

Nicolas Jackson celebrates scoring his first goal for Chelsea (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

"These are things of his height and stature are not normally used to having. I think his ability on the ball to manipulate it, to create problems for defenders, he's very mobile, he makes very good runs, he makes peeling runs in between the two centre-halves and he's got blistering pace.

"When he runs through it's very difficult to catch him." Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has also been impressed by Jackson and believes he will "be a star this season" for Chelsea.

"I think the good thing that I was impressed with is that he runs in behind," Richards said. "How many times last season did you watch Chelsea and everyone was coming to the ball. It was too easy. You knew what they were going to do. He's bringing excitement. He's bringing a freshness. I think he's going to be a star this season."

Matthew Cooper