Nicolas Jackson scored an 18-minute brace to inspire Chelsea to victory at West Ham (Picture: Getty)
Former Watford captain Troy Deeney says Chelsea no longer need to sign another striker if Nicolas Jackson continues his strong start to the season.
Jackson proved a divisive figure among Chelsea fans across a mixed debut season at Stamford Bridge, with the 23-year-old often criticised for a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.
However, Jackson has hit the ground running under new manager Enzo Maresca this term, racking up four goals and two assists in the Premier League.
It took Jackson just 18 minutes to complete a brace in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over West Ham at the weekend and the Senegal international turned provider at the start of the second half, assisting Cole Palmer’s emphatic strike to put the visitors out of sight at the London Stadium.
Jackson was later handed the man-of-the-match award for his eye-catching display in east London and Maresca may be tempted to give the in-form attacker a rest when Chelsea play host to Barrow in the Carabao Cup tomorrow evening.
‘This weekend is all about Jackson,’ Deeney wrote his his BBC Sport column following the striker’s double.
‘Two great goals and an assist, all done before he was given a rest after 60 minutes. It was a fine day at the office for him.’
Jackson assisted Palmer after giving the Blues a two-goal lead (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea were linked with several high-profile forwards in the summer and missed out on a deal for Victor Osimhen towards the end of the transfer window, with the Nigerian instead joining Galatasaray on loan.
Deeney has been an outspoken critic of Jackson in the past but believes Chelsea may want to change their transfer plans if the Senegalese continues his strong start to the season in front of goal.
‘I’m quite critical of how many chances he misses for Chelsea and, if he wants to be the main man moving forward, he has to have more games like this. He grabbed hold of it, offered a threat in behind and scored goals,’ Deeney added.
‘Chelsea don’t need to buy another striker if he stays in this kind of form.’
Former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has been similarly impressed by Jackson’s start and echoed Deeney’s comments on the striker as he analysed Chelsea’s win on NBC Sports.
‘I think there’s a long way to go and obviously that No.9 shirt is very heavy,’ Cahill said.
‘But he’s doing fantastically well and with the attacking options that they have as well, you saw today the bench: they have options there in all the attacking areas.
‘So no, I think he’s more than capable of taking that No.9 shirt and running with it.
‘Staying fit and healthy is key but going back to his numbers, he’s done superbly.’
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