Chelsea find missing ingredient with £30m transfer gamble to solve fundamental problem
So calm, so composed, a coolness – three things you can say about Nicolas Jackson when he ran through on goal at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on 12 minutes against Newcastle United.
The 22-year-old striker, who was brought in for £30million last month from Villarreal, scored his second goal in as many games for Chelsea against the Magpies. After opening his account with a fine finish against Brighton at the weekend, Jackson was handed a start in Atlanta against arguably sterner competition in Newcastle, who will be playing Champions League football in a couple of months' time.
The Senegal international did not disappoint either. After being played through by the brilliant Ian Maatsen with a fine through ball, Jackson latched onto it and hit a first-time finish past the helpless Martin Dubravka.
It was – what we call – a proper striker's finish. Opening up his body, almost Thierry Henry-esque (yes, it's pre-season), and then finding the far corner. A finish we see often, but not with Chelsea.
Last season, Kai Havertz finished at the club's top scorer with just nine goals in all competitions. The German international, now at Arsenal, was still rash in front of goal at times – like the rest of his Chelsea teammates.
There was a school of thought that Chelsea needed to address that in this summer's transfer window. That was on the club's agenda; bringing a top-class No.9 in to try and solve the side's goal scoring woes. It looks like they've hit the jackpot in Jackson – again, with the risk of getting carried away after three pre-season outings.
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This is in no way saying Jackson is going to be the world's best striker during his time at
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