by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has reaffirmed his confidence in striker Nicolas Jackson, emphasizing the Senegalese forward’s integral role in the team’s attacking setup. Despite Jackson’s recent goal drought, Maresca highlighted his overall contributions and work ethic as key factors in Chelsea’s offensive strategy.
Maresca praised Jackson’s adaptability and commitment, noting his efforts both on and off the ball. “He is doing very well with us,” Maresca stated. “Since we started, he has been open-minded in what we ask him, and sometimes we require different things from him. He’s open-minded and wants to learn, and he’s doing very well, not just in goals and assists, but also the way he works off the ball. The way he presses, he is always aggressive, and we are very happy.”
Addressing comparisons to top strikers like Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah, Maresca pointed out that Jackson’s goal tally could be higher if he were Chelsea’s designated penalty taker. “Last season, he scored 14 goals in the Premier League without a penalty,” Maresca explained. “If you add penalties to his numbers, he would be a 20-goal striker. This season, he’s already scored nine, and with penalties, that would be 13 or 14.”
Looking ahead, Maresca expressed interest in Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, a player he previously coached at Manchester City’s U21 team. Maresca praised Delap’s strong work ethic and striking instincts, acknowledging his promising development and suitability to Chelsea’s vision of acquiring young talent with growth potential. As Chelsea continues its campaign, Maresca’s faith in Jackson remains steadfast, with the manager confident that the striker will continue to play a pivotal role in the team’s pursuit of success.
