Gary Neville accuses Chelsea player of changing Chelsea’s transfer plans

Nicolas Jackson dance thriller
Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire

Nicolas Jackson has surprised many this season.

The 23-year-old Senegal international was slammed last season for being wasteful in front of goal, with Chelsea backed to sign a top striker.

However, his start to the season has been extraordinary, with eight Premier League goals already to his name.

Gary Neville has hailed the form of Nicolas Jackson, and has admitted that the striker has stopped Chelsea from pushing for another striker in the transfer market.

Gary Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast: “Nicolas Jackson, I’m happy for him. I never thought he was the problem. I thought they might need to sign another forward but I thought he would be a really good second striker.

“If you had a number nine like Diego Costa and Jackson was your man to come on, you’d think what a good striker he is to come on.

“He’s now pushing to the point where you think, ‘do we actually need that first striker? Could he be that first striker?’

“I had a lot of love for him last year even though he was erratic and made mistakes. We’re now seeing a real handful up there and someone you wouldn’t want to play against as a centre half.

“Chelsea are doing really well so well done to the manger for bringing that levels of calmness to the club because it’s been mad and chaotic over the last few seasons.

“For the first time in a while it feels like it’s settled down so well done to Maresca and well done to the players. The owners will feel a little bit more calm at this moment in time.

“But I don’t feel that they’re in the title race, I don’t sense that really.”