‘We don’t judge Nicolas just because of the goals’: Enzo Maresca defends Nicolas Jackson

Nicolas Jackson Chelsea
Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has backed striker Nicolas Jackson, who has not scored in nearly a month, emphasising the club’s satisfaction with his overall performances.

Speaking to the media, Maresca explained the broader assessment of Jackson’s contributions:

“Just to continue to work in the way he is working. As you said, he scored many goals at the beginning of the season. Now, there are games where he is not scoring, but we are completely happy with Nicolas.”

The Chelsea boss stressed that Jackson’s value isn’t measured solely by his goals:

“We don’t judge Nicolas just because of the goals. We judge Nicolas for different kinds of things, and as I said already, I spoke with Nicolas a few days ago. Last year, I think he scored 14 or 15 goals in the Premier League without penalties. [Erling] Haaland, penalty, [Mohamed] Salah, penalty, Cole Palmer, penalty.”

Highlighting the rarity of Jackson’s accomplishments as a No. 9, Maresca added:

“If you score 14 or 15 goals in the Premier League and you have four or five penalties, no more than that, then in the end it is 20 goals for a striker. This year, he scored already nine or 10 goals. For Nicolas, he is doing well, he is scoring goals with us without penalties and that is not normal for a No. 9. Normally No. 9s have penalties. We are completely happy with Nicolas.”

Maresca remains confident that Jackson’s luck will soon turn:

“For sure, he is going to score goals. Also, he is a bit unlucky because in those games he didn’t score, he had great chances to score. Sometimes you will score, but he has to continue in the same way.”

Maresca’s defence of the striker underlines Chelsea’s trust in Jackson’s abilities, even during a dry spell in front of goal.