The key thing that Nicolas Jackson has improved other than finishing – Talk Chelsea

I always just say what I think on here, and I believe people genuinely appreciate that style. But what I also do is try and be as balanced as I possibly be can on everything, even if emotions can get the better of me too at times. I’m always a Chelsea fan first.

I will call things how I see them, even if that means offering praise and flowers to players I have criticised and perhaps not rated as highly in the past.

I’ve never hid my opinions on Nicolas Jackson, and the jury for me has been out for some time. I’ve also fully acknowledged his improvements this season and how good he has been many times.

I’m not judging any player either way whether good or bad until a good couple seasons in, and I still have some reservations about some, naturally.

But what Jackson is doing right now is improving elements of his game that for me has been missing. His link-up play I think has got better and better, and it was never that bad really in the first place. He’s definitely become more clinical and is finishing the chances he would have missed last season.

But for me, the most significant improvement this season and in the last few games is his back to goal play. I think whereas before we would have seen him either take a heavy touch, or turn and dribble and lose the ball or misplace a pass, this season we are seeing him take the ball in and make better decisions and moves with it. He can come deep with his back to the goal and instantly turn a man and create an attack. Just ask Dan Burn all about that!

He drops into the pockets and allows spaces for the wingers to push on and get into dangerous areas – he draws centre backs well out of position. Jackson will then drop a pass off the one of the midfielders, and off we go on another counter attack, or just a quick build-up attack. I’ve been much more impressed with how Jackson has been doing this in recent games.

If he continues this elevation, then there might be a bigger debate and conversation about new strikers coming in for January or in the summer.

For now though, I am just going to compliment his great form and enjoy watching his serious improvements, which he deserves a lot of props for.