Alan Shearer is confident that one Chelsea attacker is definitely going to get better.
The Newcastle United legend spoke about him after Chelsea‘s 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest.
It was a game where the Blues’ forward line managed to get the job done.
Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson, all attackers, were able to get their names on the scoresheet at the City Ground.
Cole Palmer also played a big role in the win, setting up Mudryk’s strike in the first half. It was the 22-year-old’s 38th goal contribution of the season in a Chelsea shirt.
Mykhaylo Mudryk and Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrate following the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea..
Alan Shearer backs Chelsea star to get better
While Sterling and Jackson were both able to score, the former was not a starter, coming off the bench, while the latter actually struggled for the majority of the game.
According to WhoScored, no player was dispossessed more times than Jackson. However, Shearer thought there were still some good bits from the striker and is expecting him to improve next term.
Speaking on Match of the Day, he said: “There is no doubt about it. Today’s [yesterday’s] performance summed up his season. There were really good bits and some poor bits.
“He is definitely raw, but there is big potential there. He’s very good at that. He is good at running with the ball. His runs in behind are really intelligent. But little things like this, you know, making simple decisions when and how to pass that ball. Sometimes the easiest ones are the most difficult ones to do, you know. It’s that final thing where he has got to brush up on and get in behind.
“He’s 22 years of age, 29 starts, 14 goals and I think that is a decent return. It has been a little unfair on him at times because he needed to be left out, but he couldn’t because of a lack of numbers in that squad. He will learn, he will get better and they will bring someone in, I am sure.
“They do need another nine because he’s not ready to be a regular there. He has had to put up with that this season, that’s why we are picking little bits from him that his game can improve on. But another number 9 in there and a big name that he can work alongside and work with, he will get better, I am sure of it.”
Will Nicolas Jackson improve next season?
There is no reason for him not to. The Senegal international, who signed for Chelsea from Villarreal last summer in a £32m deal, now has a season of Premier League football under his belt.
Jackson is still just 22 as well. He should naturally improve as he gets older and has shown enough this term to suggest that growth next year is possible.
In terms of his development, the biggest concern is if Chelsea go and buy another centre-forward, which could limit his game time in the 2024/25 campaign.
