The Blues' two summer signings have made a flying start to life with the club, but can they be the solution to Mauricio Pochettino's No.9 problem?
Many would argue that pre-season performances should not be used as a barometer for what is to come when competitive action resumes, but Chelsea have very recent evidence to suggest that this preparatory period should not be taken for granted. Their woeful results on tour last summer foreshadowed a disastrous 2022-23 campaign, but now there is renewed optimism.
Two games into their run of fixtures in the United States this time around and things are going swimmingly under Mauricio Pochettino's tutelage – two wins from two, nine goals scored and just three conceded (although, granted, one of those games was against League Two Wrexham).
One aspect of their displays has been particularly pleasing, if unfamiliar: Chelsea's strikers have been on song. New signings Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have hit the ground running, but is this a sign of things to come long-term?
Finally, some finishing ability
A striker's job, first and foremost, is to score goals – something Chelsea dearly lacked last season in particular, although they have had a dearth of prolific output for some time. Given the profligacy Blues followers and coaches alike have become accustomed to from their forward players in recent years, it has been striking just how comfortable Nkunku and Jackson have looked in front of goal.
Unburdened by the weight of weeks and months of misfiring from goalscoring opportunities in a blue shirt, and indeed the pressure of the season proper, the two new signings have looked free and easy when chances have presented themselves.
Nkunku has two goals in fewer than 90 minutes on Chelsea's pre-season tour, ruthlessly firing into the roof of the net after rounding the goalkeeper against Wrexham, and producing an instinctive flick to net against Brighton. Jackson has scored once, sweeping a finish into the top corner on the run against the Seagulls, but has been a creative force elsewhere.
AdvertisementGettyA surprise package, a physical presence
It's Senegal international Jackson who has caught the eye in particular. There was probably some expectation that Nkunku would hit the ground running, but Jackson – who would have been an unknown quantity to anyone who hadn't followed La Liga in any great detail – has been a surprise package.
The 22-year-old has oozed confidence in his brief time in a Chelsea shirt, seemingly still riding on the wave of his prolific end to the 2022-23 campaign with Villarreal, where he scored nine goals in as many games. He has effortlessly generated an understanding with his colleagues in the attacking third, and the early signs are good as he contributes goals and assists already.
Granted, one of his the striker's appearances came against Wrexham, but there is no doubt that Jackson's combination of attributes could stand him in very good stead in the Premier League; a rangy 6'2 frame, pace, a fine first touch and devastating finishing ability – he could become a problem.
Given Chelsea's dearth of options up front, he could well be their starting striker as the new season edges ever closer. That will of course be the real test, but his form so far in pre-season and at the back end of 2022-23 suggests he could well be up to the challenge.
Impressive link-up
Indeed, that immediate synergy with his team-mates has been the most impressive thing about Jackson's start to life at Chelsea. He had his first assist for the club two minutes into his debut against Wrexham, completing a winding run by laying the ball off to Ian Maatsen to finish.
Against Brighton, he helped Mykhailo Mudryk to finally get off the mark for the club, exchanging passes with the winger with a cute one-two before the Ukrainian crashed a fine strike beyond the goalkeeper. He showed close control to provide a scruffy assist for Conor Gallagher later in the game, too.
Jackson's laid-back personality is clearly strengthening those bonds. Speaking on the club's U.S. tour, he said: "I get on with everyone. I talk to everybody. We chill out together. We’re playing cards, playing games when we are not training."
Nkunku, too, has shown his ability to drop deep and link play – exemplified by his strike against Wrexham. His deft layoff to Cesare Casadei in the build-up was sublime, before he turned on the afterburners to get on the end of the Italian's pass and round the goalkeeper.
GettyIntelligent movement
Even in isolation, that burst of pace through the lines was refreshing to see. Although there is some responsibility on the player playing the pass, Chelsea followers have grown apathetic having witnessed countless aimless runs or wasted darts into space by the likes of Kai Havertz and Timo Werner in recent years.
Jackson's movement and assist against Wrexham were impressive, too, and he could well have profited from his interchange with Mudryk as he created space by rolling away from his marker. The Senegal international's run between two Brighton defenders was also immaculately timed in the lead-up to his goal. Pochettino and Chelsea will hope this is all a sign of things to come.