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Nicolas Jackson outlines Chelsea disappointment with honest goalscoring admission

Nicolas Jackson rues a missed opportunity during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC.
Nicolas Jackson rues a missed opportunity during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC. -Credit:Marc Atkins/Getty Images


Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson has candidly expressed his disappointment with his goal tally this season with the striker admitting that he has missed some chances that he should have done better with.

The Senegalese striker, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Villarreal last summer, has netted 13 times in 39 appearances across all competitions. But he has been unable to fire Chelsea up the table with the team sitting in ninth place in the Premier League.

Despite being Mauricio Pochettino's main man up front, Jackson has struggled score the goals required, with Cole Palmer instead topping the Blues' scoring charts. Palmer boasts 20 Premier League goals to his name, while Jackson has only managed half that amount and a conversion rate of just 15.6%.

Jackson has become a lightning rod for Chelsea fans' frustrations amid a lacklustre season. However, he's not shying away from the criticism and is adamant that he'll bounce back stronger next term.

"I think I should have scored more with the chances I missed. It's good, but not what I wanted to be when I came - to play Champions League next season," Jackson confessed to Sky Sports, via the Mirror ahead of Thursday's showdown with Tottenham.

"Everything happens for a reason and we try to fight next year. Even if I scored 10 or 15, the most important thing is for the team to be as high as possible and make the fans happy. Then the goals will come.

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"[I'm] Trying to improve every day. The most important [thing] is being available for the team, helping the team and playing. I miss a lot but I'm trying to create more chances and score more. Hopefully next year it's going to be better."

Jackson looks set to remain in the starting line-up for the clash vs Spurs, having started Chelsea's last 10 Premier League games. Despite only scoring three goals in those games, Jackson should go into the game full of confidence, having scored a hat-trick in the memorable reverse fixture back in November.

The striker failed to score in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday. But Arsenal legend Ian Wright was impressed with his all-round performance and has said that there is more to come from the 22-year-old.

"I'm seeing Nicolas Jackson by the way... I've got to mention him. I watched him fully again [during Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa]," the Gunners icon told the Wrighty's House podcast.

"I have watched him in the last three or four games and the chances that he has missed always take precedent when people are talking about him, but I am seeing that guy's pace, his link, his touch. Something is happening there."

"If he gets that goalscoring right there is something in there, I'm telling you. He did some brilliant stuff against Villa. I hope it can happen for him. I have seen flashes and if he has the energy and the personality for it, this guy has got something. I am telling you."