Mauricio Pochettino ‘so happy’ with Nicolas Jackson’s performances in pre-season
Mauricio Pochettino is ‘so happy’ with Nicolas Jackson’s performances in pre-season but says the Chelsea star must improve his physicality. Jackson signed from Villarreal in June in a deal worth £30million and is expected to lead the line for Chelsea as the Pochettino era begins.
The centre-forward impressed in the second-half of last season, scoring 10 goals in his last 11 La Liga games, and has made a fine start to life at his new club, with goals in the friendlies against Brighton and Newcastle. Against the Magpies on Thursday, he produced a fine finish to open the scoring before Miguel Almiron equalised just before the break, after which Jackson was replaced by Raheem Sterling, with game finishing 1-1.
The 22-year-old’s performances have given fans hope that he could be the clinical goal scorer that Chelsea have been missing for so long. Pochettino has certainly been impressed but warns that the Senegal international must ensure he is in peak physical condition otherwise he will struggle to find his best form in the Premier League.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, the manager said of Jackson: ‘He is showing his quality, his talent. I think he is good in front of goal, he is very relaxed when given chances and he has shown that in these games. So happy, because a striker needs to score for confidence and trust.
‘La Liga is also competitive but he also needs to adapt to the Premier League. The tempo is higher than La Liga, transitions, being connected with the game. They are things that make the Premier League one of the best but one of the most competitive and excellent in terms of physicality and conditioning.
‘Still he needs to improve in his physical condition, it is only the beginning of pre-season and he arrived late, he didn’t start with us in the beginning.’
Against Newcastle, Pochettino started both Jackson and fellow new signing Christoper Nkunku, but it remains to be seen whether the two forwards can and will play together when the season gets underway. The Argentine added: ‘It was good to see. In the first half they played well. They found themselves, they created chances, they threatened the defensive line of Newcastle.
‘It’s only time to build the relationship, but there is a possibility to play in the future with these two players. At the moment the dynamic [in the whole squad] is very good, really good guys and they are sharing the time together.’
Jackson has made an impressive start to life at Chelsea and Pochettino will be hoping that he can continue to develop and reach his full potential. The forward must work on his physicality if he is to become a success at Stamford Bridge but if he can do that then he could be a key player for the Blues this season.
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