Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has praised Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson for his effect on the team since returing for his injury layoff at the beginning of April, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Senegalese striker has contributed 26 and 11 assists in 70 appearances across all competitions, but it could have been more if he put away most of chances. Jackson has great positioning, dribbles well, and is a great ball carrier. But his final balls have been the issue.
However, his presence was missed last month after he was sidelined with a muscle injury. In his absence, Marc Guiu and Christopher Nkunku failed to prove their mettle, as Chelsea struggled for goals and looked below par in the final third.
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But since Jackson returned to action at the start of the month, the Blues have looked sharper and more dangerous in the final third.
This has drawn praises from Mikel, who has close ties with the club after spending 11 years there.
“Nicolas jackson put defenders on the back foot. He will run and run and run. He will run behind, will run into the channels,” Jackson said on the ObiOne Podcast, per Vince.
“He can bring players into play and create something out of nothing. He is very physical as well in terms of when he chases defenders down, when he defends. And I agree with the manager, when he plays we are different. We play much better when he's there, you can see that.”
This is a first, as Mikel has been a constant critic of Jackson since he arrived at Chelsea due to his penchant for missing chances.
Does this mean that Mikel doesn't need Victor Osimhen at Chelsea anymore?
As Mikel Obi has been a constant critic of Jackson, he has also been telling the club to sign Victor Osimhen in the summer. So his comments about Jackson does not change anything.
In fact, after speaking about Jackson in that podcast, he still advised Chelsea to sign Osimhen.
“His hunger when he plays, the ambition when he plays is something that few players have, the arrogance he has, the feistiness he has that you need to be able to succeed in the Premier League as a top striker. So, for me, I can see a great partnership happening.
“I’ve said what I have to say, I’ve done my part. If the club chose not to pursue it, fair enough. The player has so many options. Good luck to him, good luck to Chelsea. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen,” Obi said.
The Super Eagles striker has been heavily linked with a transfer to the Premier League in the last two years, but the deal has failed to materialize. But even at that, Osimhen is still a target for the Blues.
Osimhen is having a good season with Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig. But he will exit the club at the end of the season.
