Former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, has defended Chelsea striker, Nicolas Jackson and has further urged the Blues’ fans to give him time to settle.

Chelsea signed Jackson on a £32m deal from Villarreal this summer but the striker has been criticised for a number of missed chances.

The 22-year old has attracted criticisms and mockery from the Blues fans due to his wasteful form.

However, the Sky Sports pundit has stated that the Senegalese player doesn’t deserve the criticisms and he should be cut some slack.

Merson told Sky Sports: “I like Nicolas Jackson, actually.

“He makes good runs but there was one shot that summed it up in the second half [against Bournemouth] where he hit the stand, which was fortunate as that’s how wide it was.

“There’s a lot of pressure for a young lad who was playing in Spain and now is spearheading a team who is expected to win football matches because of the money they spent.

“I don’t think it’s fair on him, so I’d definitely give him more time. Though Pochettino would take him out of the firing line if he could.

“I do worry, Chelsea have got to get going, and this hasn’t been the hardest start in the world. Apart from Liverpool on the opening day, every team they’ve played could finish in the bottom half of the table.”