Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has addressed Nicolas Jackson’s current goal draught, noting that the Senegalese forward has been unlikely.
Despite having nine Premier League goals to his name this season, it’s been a month since Nicolas Jackson last scored for Chelsea. With fans calling for the forward to be dropped on the bench, Enzo Maresca says he is ‘completely happy’ with the striker and his performances.
When asked about the Senegalese at his press conference, Maresca explained why he has been so pleased with the 23-year-old’s output so far this season.
A figure Maresca notes that Jackson’s goal tally would have been higher if he took spot-kicks for the Blues, like strikers often do at other clubs.
Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea (Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
‘He has to continue to work in the way he is working,’ said Maresca.
‘We are completely happy with Nicolas and don’t judge him just because of goals, we judge him on different things.
‘I spoke to Nicolas a few days ago. Last season he scored 14 goals in the Premier League without a penalty. [Erling] Haalandis on penalties, [Mohamed] Salah penalties, [Cole] Palmer penalties – if you score 14 or 15 goals in the Premier League and add five penalties, then he is a 20-goal-a-season striker. This season, he has scored nine and with a few penalties he could be close to 13 or 14.
‘We are completely happy and he has to continue in the way he is working and for sure he is going to score goals,’ concluded Maresca.
‘He has also been little bit unlucky because in all the games he didn’t score, he had chances to score. Sometimes you don’t score, so he has to continue in the same way.’
Jackson will be eager to get back on the score sheet when Chelsea take on Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
