Only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah average more points-per-game than Nicolas Jackson among forwards

FEW players have reversed their reputation as quickly as Nicolas Jackson (£4.3m) in recent times.

When the Senegal international first arrived at Chelsea, many fans were left baffled by his erratic performances.

He scored just two goals in his first nine outings for the Blues, during which time he missed several gilt-edged chances and incurred enough yellow cards to warrant a one-game suspension.

However, as the 2023/24 season progressed, Jackson slowly found his feet.

Dream Team

Who’s laughing now?[/caption]

Not discouraged by squandered opportunities or social media criticism, the ex-Villarreal striker scored five goals in his last eight outings to finish the campaign with 17 in all competitions – a perfectly respectable tally for a young player’s first term in English football.

Crucially, Jackson has picked up where he left off so far this season having raced to five goals in his first eight league games.

He still frustrates onlookers from time to time but his numbers are increasingly impressive.

None more so than in the world of Dream Team where he averages 8.4 points-per-game.

For context, Erling Haaland (£8.9m) and Mohamed Salah (£7.4m) are the only forwards who boast superior averages at the time of writing.

AFP

Jackson scored his fifth league goals of the season last weekend[/caption]

Jackson has registered three assists in addition to his five goals which means he’s averaging a goal involvement every 77.3 minutes this season.

Plus, Haaland, Salah and Kai Havertz (£5.2m) are the only forwards who have recorded more shots on target.

Some neutrals may still be unconvinced about Jackson but the statistics paint the portrait of an in-form asset not to be underestimated.

The main hindrance to 23-year-old’s viability relates to Chelsea’s sizeable squad.

With so many players available to Enzo Maresca, the Italian tactician has opted to employ heavy rotation in the additional competitions.

As a result, Christopher Nkunku (£4.5m) has led the line in the Carabao Cup and Conference League so far this season.

In fact, Jackson hasn’t played a single minute outside his eight league outings (in Dream Team eligible fixtures).

Hence why, despite his mighty points-per-game average, he is ranked seventh among strikers with 67 points overall.

Whereas the likes of Marcus Rashford (£4m), Ollie Watkins (£5.7m) and the aforementioned Havertz have supplemented their totals with returns outside their league commitments.

PA

Nkunku has prospered in the other competitions this season[/caption]

Still, Jackson’s potency means a player to watch closely.

Chelsea face Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal in their next three league games but a goal at Anfield last weekend is proof that Jackson is capable of substantial points in unfavourable fixtures.

An ownership of 12.2% makes him the fifth most-popular forward in the game at present.

---