FireSide

RumourWatch—Nicholas Jackson

Probable chelsea new striker .

Taken time to keenly study and analyse him so that the analysis doesnt end up "sensationalized" as some claim I do

Stand out quality is his hold up play. Though not physically muscled like Lukaku, his ball holding is equal if not better than lukaku, rather than using sheer brute to hold off opponents, Jackson uses intelligence and space vs opponents manipulation. His strength in hold up play and the speed and intelligence in releasing precise balls behind defensive lines there after is something that would definitely suit fast and tricky attackers like Nkunku, Mudryk, Sterling and Noni around him

His ability to drop deep, drive possession and intelligent chances creation is his biggest strength. he drops deep, spreads passes then runs into the box looking for scoring opportunities. This tenacious hold, drag and dart most of the time would leave highly pressing defenders committing and dislodged from defensive shapes thereby leaving plenty of spaces for other attacking players.

Dribbling in tight spaces is his other great strength.. its quite difficult winning possession off his feet.

His movement and positioning between defenders is as excellent as I had seen with Drogba and Costa... Something that Havertz hasn't been able to do. For Enzo slicing passes, Jackson is the exact type of player you'd want upfront. Remember those times when Didier and Diego would pop on defenders shoulders out of nowhere and create opportunities out of nothing?,... well... his technique with this is admirable

He also presses and defends just like it would be demanded by Pochettino

But just like any other young player, Jackson has his weakness that will need working on. The greatest perhaps is his inability to take long range shots. This forces him to take most of his goals inside the box, and sometimes has to run long distances into the box to do this. It also forces him to make un necessary touches in so as to get into position for this. For a league like EPL where defenders are aggressive and tight, this could be quite challenging. His acceleration with the ball will also need some work

Comparatively, Jackson is technically better but a little less faster than Broja, He is technically equal to Havertz but physically better suited to the demands of the EPL than him. For confidence to hold and spread meaningful balls from tight areas upfront, he is better than sterling or Aubamayang..He also looks better than Datro in everyway and tested and proven in a slightly better league..

He is a Hybrid of Nkunku Technique and Drogba power... In one year or two, Chelsea may have a proper striker.... As long as he keeps off from the No 9 shirt

@ChelseaAnalysis

Chelsea fans, if you could ask Marina Granovskaia one question about her time at Chelsea, what would it be?

Serious answers only, please 🤝

Signing Jackson for ~€35m fits Chelsea's new blueprint of calculated gambles on young talent. With players like Osimhen, Kane, Kolo Muani all valued at above €100m, Chelsea are perhaps gambling on one of the highly rated trio of Broja, Datro Fofana and Jackson to come good.

Credits @CFCCentral3 via Twitter

ℹ️ @ChelseaAnalysis

Hold up! Wait a minute!!! Missed someone? Kepa as captain who says no?

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Moisés Caicedo vs Declan Rice 📊

Who you taking? 👀

Chelsea have agreed €15m fee for 2004 talented Brazilian striker Ângelo, here we go! 🔵🇧🇷 #CFC

Ângelo agreed personal terms on a deal until 2029. He’ll start pre season at Chelsea then possible loan.

ℹ️ Barça clause: they’ve 48h to match Chelsea bid — but they will NOT do it.

[via Fabrizio Romano]

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