Nicolas Jackson: Chelsea Striker Vows to Improve His Finishing but Admits ‘I Missed a Lot of Chances’

Nicolas Jackson has vowed “goals will come” but admits he has been far too wasteful in front of goal for Chelsea this season.

The 22-year-old has scored ten goals in the Premier League in his first year in English football, but has scored just once in his last eight games in all competitions.

Jackson arrived at Stamford Bridge from Villarreal last summer for £32m on an eight-year deal and is yet to find his best form in a struggling Blues team.

Chelsea sit ninth in the Premier League and are in danger of missing out on European football for a second year in a row, despite Todd Boehly’s huge investment in recent transfer windows.

Jackson was heavily criticized for his profligacy, particularly after the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City, when the striker missed several big chances to take Chelsea to the final.

“I think I should have scored more goals with the missed opportunities,” Jackson said Sky Sports.

“It’s good, but not what I wanted to be when I came – to play Champions League next season. Everything happens for a reason and we’ll try to fight next year.”

“Even if I scored 10 or 15, the most important thing is that the team is as high as possible and makes the fans happy. Then the goals will come.”

He added: “I try to improve every day. The most important.” [thing] is to be available for the team, to help the team and to play. I miss a lot, but I try to create more chances and score more goals. Hopefully it will be better next year.”

Chelsea’s campaign has been badly hit by the unavailability of players, including several acquired at huge expense in a £1bn transfer spree over the last two years.

Notable absentees included £70m defender Wesley Fofana, who hasn’t played all season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury, and striker Christopher Nkunku, a £52m summer signing, who Limited to just seven Premier League appearances and absent from training despite returning to full squad, he will not be fit to face Spurs.

Romeo Lavia, bought from Southampton for £58m, has only played once for the club, while Reece James and Ben Chilwell have also been away from the team for lengthy periods.

Last week it was confirmed that Enzo Fernandez, signed for a then British record £105m in January 2023, will not play again this season following a hernia operation.

But Jackson believes that despite the mitigating factors, there are the characteristics of a very good team.

“We are very close,” said Jackson, who scored a hat-trick in the second leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“If you look at the season where we played at Wembley twice, we have five more games to fight to be in Europe and next season will be better because the coach knows everyone now and the connection is better is.”

“At the beginning we didn’t know each other, but now everyone knows each other, they know the characteristics of the players and where they play. It gets better. We are one step closer to what we want.”

Moises Caicedo was another Chelsea player who signed an eight-year deal last summer when he moved from Brighton for a fee in excess of £100 million.

Only Conor Gallagher has made more appearances for the Blues in all competitions than Caicedo, who will be aiming for more success next season.

“It was really tough at times because you know it’s a young team,” Caicedo said.

“We learn every day, in every game. We played a final and a semi-final, maybe next season we will be better and win trophies.”

“This season was about learning. to gain experience. Next season it will definitely be better. I will score more goals and get more assists.”

“But I’m happy to be here with the coach who helps me. We want to win as many titles as possible to get Chelsea where it belongs.”

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