Analysis: What Jackson has changed to become a clinical striker

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 13.

Player analysis: Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)

Often perceived as "raw" during a mixed debut Premier League campaign last season, everything suggests Jackson is maturing nicely at Stamford Bridge in 2024/25.

It helps that he is leading the line for a much-improved team, but the Senegalese forward also deserves credit for working on his own game.

The 23-year-old’s movement has become smarter, his decision-making less erratic, and in front of goal he has added a more clinical edge.

Sunday’s opponents Aston Villa, who have kept just one clean sheet all season, will need to defend well to keep Jackson at bay.

CHE

3-0

AVL

close

TV Info - Broadcasters

How has Jackson improved?

Enzo Maresca’s first-choice striker has refined his shooting skills over the last 16 months.

He is noticeably calmer when the big clear-cut chances fall his way, and less likely to snatch at opportunities than he was last season.

His opening goal at Leicester City last weekend, nonchalantly flicking a half-volley into the far corner, outlined the progress he’s made.

Jackson's goal v Leicester

In general, Jackson's shooting accuracy has improved, which means he is hitting the target with greater frequency too. This has led to better conversion rates and, most importantly, a better goal tally.

His 0.35 goals per 90 minutes from 2023/24 has almost doubled to 0.65 this season. 

Jackson's shooting stats compared per 90

One aspect of Jackson’s play that has developed enormously is his decision-making.

Last season, perhaps over-eager to please, he would fire off a lot of efforts from long range or difficult angles with low success rates.

This season he has cut back on those choices, taking just a single shot from outside the 18-yard box.

Whether that is down to Maresca’s instructions or his own making we do not know, but his shot selection is markedly better.

Why is he Maresca’s main man?

Maresca will be delighted with Jackson’s return of seven goals and three assists in 12 Premier League appearances this season, but the forward is also in the starting XI because of his pace and work ethic.

Last season he made more sprints than any other Premier League player, and that positive trend has continued.

The data tells us he is making fewer runs per match than last season - down from 37.0 per 90 to 31.3 this campaign - but a higher proportion of those bursts are into the penalty box.

That share into the box has risen from 28 per cent of all runs to 33 per cent.

Last season he ranked sixth for runs into the box, but going into this weekend, only Dominic Solanke is ahead of him in that department.

Top players of 2024/25

The way Jackson exploded past Dan Burn to score from Pedro Neto’s pass on a counter in the 2-1 home victory against Newcastle United typified his sharpness in those moments, earning Jackson the Guinness Goal of the Month award for October. 

He also netted from a similar breakaway at home to Crystal Palace, displaying great desire to get on the end of Cole Palmer’s pass.

Is he tailor-made to punish Villa?

On paper you would suggest that Unai Emery’s side would be more fearful of a striker like Jackson than any other type of frontman.

Villa’s high line has been exploited by a number of opponents in recent weeks, so Jackson will be especially looking forward to this fixture.

His strength is running onto through-balls, and the higher the line is the easier in theory it should be for him to get past the last defender.

Last season Jackson received a total of 16 through-balls. This season, a third of the way through the campaign, he is already on nine. Erling Haaland is the only top-flight player to run onto more.

Most through-balls received 24/25

The two best examples came from Moises Caicedo’s slide-rule passes against West Ham United and Liverpool, when Jackson took up positions between the centre-back before running in behind.

From Villa’s perspective it is essential Emery's chosen centre-back partnership stay compact and close to one another. If any gaps appear, Jackson will look to station himself there, and demand through-balls from Caicedo or Cole Palmer.

His run and finish against Liverpool was exquisite.

Jackson's goal v Liverpool

Why is it working under Maresca?

The use of Palmer as a No 10 is good news for Jackson, who is certainly benefiting from the playmaker’s service, as well as the distraction Palmer provides for opposition centre-backs.

Palmer often takes up positions that are very high, and this can tempt central defenders into following him, leaving Jackson free for a 1v1. In last season’s 4-3-3 system under Mauricio Pochettino, Jackson was easier to mark as there was not often an advancing midfielder in close proximity.

The pace of Noni Madueke and Neto out wide is also perfect for Jackson, who is one of the league’s most dangerous strikers from breakaways.

Chelsea have developed quickly as a team and become a lot more cohesive this season, and Jackson himself has worked hard on polishing some of the rough edges in his game.

That is a recipe for success, and Villa will have respect for the danger he carries.

Also in this series