Villarreal forward, Nicolas Jackson, has successfully completed his medical ahead of his anticipated transfer to Chelsea. The 22-year-old Senegalese player has a release clause of €35m (£30.1m) in his current contract with Villarreal, and it is believed that personal terms will not pose an issue.
Jackson was previously set to join Bournemouth in January for a fee of £22.5m. However, the deal fell through after he failed his medical due to a hamstring problem. Now, he has emerged as a key target for Chelsea as they seek to revamp their forward line. The signing of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig has already been secured by the London club.
During the previous season, Jackson made a significant impact for Villarreal, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists across all competitions. The official confirmation of his move to Stamford Bridge is expected to be announced in the coming days.
Patience required for Jackson at Chelsea
Chelsea is in dire need of a new No. 9 this summer to address their goal-scoring woes. It’s been six years since Diego Costa was the last striker to score 20 goals in a season for the club. The team’s scoring troubles were particularly evident last season when no player managed to score more than nine goals, leading to a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Premier League. Consequently, there is a strong desire to bolster their forward line.
However, Nicolas Jackson may not be the high-profile name that many fans were hoping for. The 22-year-old, who has earned one cap for Senegal, only established himself as a regular in Villarreal’s first team last season. Furthermore, his failed move to Bournemouth in January raises questions about his fitness.
It’s unlikely that Chelsea would have considered pursuing Jackson in the previous transfer window, given his modest record of three goals in his first 18 La Liga appearances. However, he came alive towards the end of the season, netting nine goals in his final eight matches and helping Villarreal secure qualification for the Europa League.
Jackson’s impressive form in the closing stages of the season puts him ahead of Chelsea’s current crop of forwards in terms of goals and big chances scored per 90 minutes. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that none of Chelsea’s forwards met expectations last season, and Jackson’s statistics for possession wins and completed passes pale in comparison to the attacking players already at Stamford Bridge.
Consequently, it would be unfair to expect Jackson to immediately solve Chelsea’s goal-scoring issues upon his arrival. It would not be surprising to see the club pursue another No. 9 this summer. Instead, a more long-term perspective should be adopted with regards to Jackson. While his impressive run of form highlights his potential, his limited experience at the highest level and areas in need of improvement suggest that both Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea’s fans will need to exercise patience.
