Enzo Maresca has been urged to upgrade Nicolas Jackson by a former Chelsea player, who described the Senegalese striker as "a bit like Kai Havertz."
Jackson has scored just one goal in his last seven Premier League games and spurned numerous chances as the Blues were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
After assisting Cole Palmer for Chelsea's opener, Jackson fired Noni Madueke's cut-back over the bar, then headed a cross straight at Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers from close range before shanking the rebound into the side netting.
Speaking about the 23-year-old, who has nine Premier League goals this season, after the draw with Bournemouth, former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley insisted that Maresca must find a better solution up front if he wants the Blues to challenge for trophies.
"Chelsea and Enzo Maresca will have to address that position," Burley, who won the FA Cup with Chelsea in 1997, told ESPN.
"Most of these teams challenging for title have had somebody up front who is different gravy, [Jackson] is just okay," he explained. "He's had his moments, but we will see more of those misses than we will of the really good Nico Jackson."
Burley went on to compare Jackson to Kai Havertz, who spent spent three seasons with Chelsea before joining Arsenal in 2023.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, the German forward, despite scoring the goal that won Chelsea the Champions League in 2021, was often lamented for his lackadaisical displays and wastefulness in front of goal.
"There’s been more good than bad from Nicolas Jackson this season," Burley said, according to the Metro. "Ultimately I think he’s a player, a bit like Kai Havertz at Arsenal, who would be good at coming off the bench or playing in cup games." Liverpool legend Steve Nicol concurred with Burley's assessment of Jackson.
"He’s doing better than we thought he would but if you want to take the next step and challenge constantly, he’s not your guy," he said.
Despite his poor run of scoring form, Maresca recently insisted that he's "totally happy" with Jackson.
"We don't judge Nicolas just for the goals but we judge Nicolas for different things. He is doing well, scoring goals with us that are not penalties," the Italian coach said. "He has also been a bit unlucky because he has had great chances to score."
Do Chelsea need to replace Nicolas Jackson?
Everything Chelsea says...
Jackson is undoubtedly in a bad run of scoring form. However, as Maresca points out, he brings more to the team than just goals.
Take his superb assist for Palmer's opener against Bournemouth: dropping deep to collect the ball, rolling his defender (or in this case, defenders), and distributing cleverly. He was also unlucky not to score in the first half, hitting the post from distance after a fine solo run.
Jackson has already proven he can be a deadly finisher this season, but right now, things just aren't going his way. That happens in football.
Chelsea definitely do not need to replace him, nor, unless Christopher Nkunku leaves, bring in another forward as a back-up.
However, giving Marc Guiu, who has been excellent in the Europa Conference League, some opportunities in the coming weeks could be a good idea. Not only would it provide the young Spaniard with much-needed game time in the top flight, but it might also give Jackson the push he needs to be more consistent.
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