Nicolas Jackson steps out from Cole Palmer’s spotlight, establishing himself as a key figure ahead of an important summer.
Among Chelsea’s many strong outings in the first half of the season, their 2-1 loss at Anfield in October surprisingly became the benchmark for progress. Similarly, of Nicolas Jackson’s nine goals across 15 league matches during that stretch, his strike against Liverpool stood out. With an expertly timed run, Jackson evaded both Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk before calmly finishing past Caoimhin Kelleher. Though VAR was needed to validate the goal, it was a standout moment in a performance that could have yielded a point but for defensive lapses.
As the reverse fixture approaches, this time with newly-crowned champions Liverpool heading to Stamford Bridge, Jackson seems to have regained his edge—just in time. After enduring a four-month goal drought, partly due to a hamstring injury, he now has three goals in just one-and-a-half games. He followed a decisive goal against Everton with a brace off the bench in Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Djurgarden.
Manager Enzo Maresca noted the boost in Jackson’s confidence, pointing to how transformed he now appears compared to previous weeks. While Cole Palmer has led the spotlight at Stamford Bridge, his recent dry spell—18 games without a goal—has allowed Jackson to step into a leading role. Though Palmer remains instrumental, Jackson’s resurgence proves he’s more than just a beneficiary of the No.10’s brilliance.
Jackson’s recent form has highlighted his broader contributions, especially during his injury spell when his absence was strongly felt. His effort and persistence were clear in his first goal against Djurgarden, capitalizing on an overhit Palmer pass to pressure the defense into an error. The second goal, a powerful finish into the top corner, reflected his growing assurance.
With Chelsea still chasing dual objectives for the season, Jackson’s form could be decisive. Other squad members like Jadon Sancho—whose future hinges on a possible £20–25 million move from Manchester United—and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are also making late-season cases. Sancho opened the scoring against Djurgarden and impressed alongside Dewsbury-Hall in a crucial first half that swung momentum Chelsea’s way.
As Chelsea push toward Champions League qualification, players trying to secure their futures may ironically make themselves replaceable by raising the club’s spending power. Still, some, including goalkeeper Robert Sánchez and Jackson himself, are striving to prove they belong long-term.
Though Jackson is not expected to leave, Chelsea are likely to recruit a new striker, particularly with Christopher Nkunku’s status uncertain. Whether that addition is a young, complementary forward like Liam Delap, available for £30 million, or a headline-grabber like Victor Osimhen remains to be seen. Either way, Jackson’s recent performances have ensured he’s firmly in the conversation.
