Chelsea find ‘the new Vardy’ as Pochettino strikes gold in transfer market

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has been likened to Leicester star Jamie Vardy by one of his new team-mates. Ben Chilwell has been seriously impressed with the £30million forward and is excited about linking up with him this season.

Chelsea needed to add goals to their squad after scoring just 38 in as many games in the Premier League last season. Jackson joined early in the window from Spanish side Villarreal.

He has impressed in the pre-season friendlies and will be in line to start the opener against Liverpool on Sunday. Chilwell played with Vardy during his four years in the first team at Leicester and can see similarities in Jackson.

Vardy will go down as a Premier League legend, having scored a minimum of 16 goals in seven consecutive seasons in the top flight between 2015 and 2022. If Jackson can replicate that performance, Mauricio Pochettino would have struck gold in the transfer market.

Read more… Mason Greenwood left off Man Utd list as Rasmus Hojlund hint dropped

Chilwell told talkSPORT: “Personally [Jackson is] a very different kind of centre-forward to a lot of centre-forwards you see nowadays, in a positive way. It’s a nice surprise in a way to see a No 9 that loves running in behind, it kind of takes me back to when I was at Leicester with Vards [Vardy].

“It’s definitely a strong attribute to have when you can do that and do that in a very threatening way. So, hopefully, we can all give him the service that he needs and the service that I’m sure he will get when he’s got pace like that and wants to get in behind defences.”

Jackson scored 13 goals in 47 appearances for Villarreal, including 12 in 26 outings in La Liga last term. Speaking last month, Pochettino insisted the Senegal star needs to adapt to the English game.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Don’t miss…
West Ham ‘reject £87m Lucas Paqueta bid’ from Man City and submit counter-offer[REPORT]
Man Utd ‘golden goodbye’ payment to Harry Maguire emerges as West Ham deal set[TRANSFERS]
Arsenal want ‘bonus signing’ that would be good news for Declan Rice[GOSSIP]

He said: “I think he has shown his quality and talent: he is good in front of the goal, very relaxed when he has the chances. He has shown that in the games.

“I am happy because a striker needs to score to build confidence and trust. He was in La Liga, which is also really competitive but he needs to adapt to the Premier League.

“The tempo is higher than La Liga, more transitions, be connected with the game. There are many things that make the Premier League one of the best, one of the most competitive, and one is the physical condition.”

Source: Read Full Article