In the ever-evolving world of football, surprises are aplenty. The 2022-23 season witnessed Chelsea Football Club grappling with numerous challenges, and their struggles in front of the goal were particularly glaring. While the blame was not solely on one player, Kai Havertz faced the brunt of criticism for Chelsea’s dismal goal tally. As they sought to rectify this issue, Chelsea made an unexpected move, securing the services of 21-year-old forward, Nicolas Jackson, from Villarreal for a substantial £32 million. However, what was initially seen as a solution to their problems has now turned into a conundrum for the Blues.
Chelsea’s Goal-Scoring Predicament
The 2022-23 season was one of turbulence for Chelsea. Despite their massive financial investments, which amounted to nearly £600 million over two transfer windows, the club fell short of expectations. The most glaring issue? Their inability to find the back of the net consistently.
Kai Havertz, a talented German forward, bore much of the blame for Chelsea’s goal-scoring woes. However, the entire team shared the responsibility. Chelsea’s finishing was subpar, resulting in them underperforming their expected goals (xG) by a staggering 13.89. Only Everton and Manchester United ranked lower in terms of clinical finishing.
With their goal-scoring difficulties haunting them, Chelsea made it their top priority to secure a new center-forward during the summer transfer window. The mission was clear: bolster their attacking prowess and rekindle their goal-scoring capabilities.
The Arrival of Nicolas Jackson
In their quest to find a remedy for their goal-scoring issues, Chelsea turned their gaze towards Nicolas Jackson, a relatively unknown talent hailing from Villarreal. Jackson’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, finalized with a £32 million deal, raised eyebrows across the footballing world due to his relatively low profile.
Jackson’s journey to Chelsea was far from conventional. He came close to joining the ranks of lowly Bournemouth in January but instead ended up at Villarreal, where he began to exhibit immense promise. His acquisition was seemingly in line with the type of players Chelsea had been signing since Todd Boehly’s takeover.
The Unexpected Challenge
New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino wasted no time in expressing his desire to revamp the squad during the summer transfer window. Despite already spending over £500 million on new players under the stewardship of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, Pochettino faced the formidable task of rejuvenating a squad that had lost confidence.
The signing of Christopher Nkunku for £52 million marked a significant investment, but Pochettino needed more firepower in the attacking department. Goals had been a consistent problem for Chelsea in the previous season, and Pochettino identified Nicolas Jackson as his top transfer target to rectify this issue.
A Transfer Saga Unfolds
The transfer saga surrounding Nicolas Jackson’s move to Chelsea was one that captured the imagination of football fans worldwide. Chelsea had diligently negotiated with Villarreal to secure Jackson’s services ahead of preseason training and Pochettino’s formal arrival on July 1.
According to widespread reports in the UK, Chelsea successfully triggered Jackson’s £30 million release clause with the La Liga side, and both parties reached an agreement on personal terms for a long-term contract with the promising 21-year-old. Chelsea had initially explored structuring the deal with payment instalments, but Villarreal remained steadfast in their demand for an upfront payment of £30 million.
The Unforeseen Challenge
Nicolas Jackson’s performance during the latter part of the 2022/23 season at Villarreal was nothing short of spectacular. He tallied an impressive nine league goals in just eight matches, playing a pivotal role in Villarreal’s qualification for the Europa League.
Jackson’s style of play is characterized by his prowess in the box, consistently posing a goal threat. Compared to his Villarreal teammates, Jackson outshone them in various aspects. He scored more goals (12), registered more shots on target (23), and boasted the best shot-to-goal conversion rate (29.27%).
Jackson vs. Havertz
A comparison between Nicolas Jackson and the outgoing Chelsea forward, Kai Havertz, provides intriguing insights. In terms of shot-to-goal ratio, Jackson outperformed Havertz based on 90 minutes of league action, with 0.67 goals from 2.31 shots, whereas Havertz managed 0.25 goals from 2.67 shots.
While Havertz excelled in creative statistics, suggesting a potential role at Arsenal, Chelsea’s primary requirement was a prolific goal-scorer. Tuchel and Potter had brought in forward players with pace and creativity, but their goal return remained disappointingly low.
Havertz concluded the 2022/23 season as Chelsea’s top Premier League scorer with just seven goals, while the team collectively managed a mere 38 goals in as many games. This tally marked Chelsea’s lowest Premier League finish (12th) since 1996 and stood in stark contrast to their 2021/22 season, during which they netted 84 goals.
Jackson’s Remarkable Journey
Nicolas Jackson’s rise to prominence is a testament to his raw talent and unrelenting determination. He joined Villarreal from Segunda Division side Mirandes in 2021, initially spending a season with the reserve side, where he managed to score five league goals.
Unai Emery’s arrival propelled Jackson into the first team during the 2021/22 season, and he continued to shine even after Emery’s departure in the following campaign. His journey from the second tier to becoming a key figure in Villarreal’s squad serves as a testament to his rapid progression and untapped potential.
The Fantasy Football Dilemma
In the realm of Fantasy Premier League, the choices made by managers can significantly impact their performance. Nicolas Jackson, initially seen as a promising pick, has recently become one of the most transferred-out players ahead of Gameweek 5. However, it is crucial for Fantasy managers to exercise patience, as Chelsea’s favorable fixtures in the upcoming Gameweeks could witness a turnaround in their fortunes.