Former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has likened Chelsea new boy Nicolas Jackson to club legend Didier Drogba.

The 22-year-old joined the Blues from Villarreal in a £32m deal, signing an eight-year contract.

Speaking ahead of Jackson’s Chelsea debut against Liverpool, Sturridge said: “I think the signing of Nicolas Jackson, for me, is a very good signing.

“I liken his style to a hybrid of a young Mario Balotelli in terms of the skills and the presence and strength, and Didier Drogba. Of course he doesn’t have as powerful a shot of those two players but his ability around the box, his one-twos, his flicks and tricks.

“These are things of his height and stature are not normally used to having. I think his ability on the ball to manipulate it, to create problems for defenders, he’s very mobile, he makes very good runs, he makes peeling runs inbetween the two centre-halves and he’s got blistering pace.

“When he runs through it’s very difficult to catch him. I’m excited to see him today.”