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Goal machine: Nicolas Jackson aiming to take Club World Cup by storm
Nicolas Jackson’s domestic campaign ended in disappointment after a red card in the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United on May 11 saw him banned for Chelsea’s final two Premier League games.
But the highly-regarded striker returned to make a goalscoring appearance in the Conference League final against Real Betis on May 28 as Enzo Maresca’s side won 4-1 in Poland.
That historic success saw Chelsea become the first club to win all five Uefa club tournaments - the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup and the defunct Cup Winners' Cup.
Jackson now heads to the USA for the FIFA Club World Cup aiming to reassert his burgeoning talent and fire Maresca’s side to glory on the global stage.
Ahead of the tournament, DAZN News examines why 23-year-old Jackson is such an important part of Chelsea’s attacking artillery as they head Stateside in pursuit of a second Club World Cup title.
Jackson arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2023 on an eight-year contract in a £30million transfer from Villarreal and with his star on the rise.
He was seen as a long-term prospect to develop and, much like Cole Palmer, in line with Chelsea’s transfer strategy of signing talented youngsters with huge potential.
Jackson’s debut season at Stamford Bridge was a significant success – he scored 17 goals and provided six assists in 44 games during the 2023/24 campaign.
Indeed, Jackson’s scoring record in his first campaign at Chelsea was higher than club legend Didier Drogba’s and the Senegal international became a regular for club and country.
Highlight reels? Take your pick.
A brilliant hat-trick in a 4-1 win at bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in November 2023.
Six days later, Jackson was on target again in a thrilling 4-4 draw at home to eventual champions Manchester City.
He scored in three successive games between February and March and then went one better towards the climax of the season, bagging four Premier League goals in just three games.
That underlined his rich talent at the end of a campaign which ended in upheaval as Mauricio Pochettino departed by mutual consent after just one season in charge.
The Argentine was under pressure after an underwhelming first half of the campaign but a run of five successive wins to end the season ensured they finished sixth in the Premier League.
Maresca arrived as Pochettino’s replacement last summer after guiding Leicester to promotion as Championship title winners but Jackson’s goals continued to flow.
He netted 10 times in the Premier League this season, including a number of important strikes, and Chelsea extended his contract by two more years until 2033 last September.
Chelsea F.C.
There was an enforced two-month absence with a hamstring injury between February and April before his domestic campaign was ended prematurely by his dismissal at Newcastle on May 11.
Jackson’s red card was as a result of aiming a forearm into opponent Sven Botman’s face and certainly did his team no favours in their quest to qualify for the Champions League.
Jackson’s subsequent punishment saw him banned for the visit of Manchester United and final-day trip to Nottingham Forest.
Still, Chelsea won 1-0 at the City Ground to clinch fourth place and ensure they will play in the Champions League next season.
His disciplinary record remains a concern for Chelsea as they head to the US, with Jackson having been booked eight times before his red against Newcastle.
Last season, Jackson picked up 10 bookings from 44 appearances in all competitions.
Maresca has challenged Jackson to learn from his mistakes, particularly amid speculation that Chelsea will sign another striker this summer.
Maresca said: “Nico is intelligent enough to recognise that there has been an error, a mistake.
“For me it’s not about the age because no matter the age you are, if you make a mistake it’s okay as all of us make mistakes.
“But if you make the same mistake again probably it’s not the best thing.”
Having served his domestic ban, Jackson was back in the Europa Conference League final against Real Betis and back among the goals.
He will now aim to reprise his best form when Chelsea head Stateside this summer.
Memories of Chelsea winning the Club World Cup for the first and only time to date remain fresh in the memory banks of most Blues supporters.
In 2021, Chelsea lifted the title under Thomas Tuchel after a 2-1 extra-time win against Brazilian side Palmeiras in Abu Dhabi.
Now Jackson will look to help them get the prestigious trophy back under lock and key at Stamford Bridge again this summer by going all the way on US soil.
Watch all 63 matches of the 2025 Club World Cup live on DAZN. More information and to sign up for a free account here.
