KIERAN GILL: Jackson catching up Drogba's tally in his debut season at Chelsea

For the first time, Nicolas Jackson can say he does not have more Premier League yellows than goals. That was a statistic which followed Chelsea’s newest striker, a stick with which he was beaten for being more bookable than bankable.

It was a fast-thinking flick against Newcastle which secured Jackson his ninth strike of the season, with Chelsea unbeaten whenever the 22-year-old from Senegal has netted. Slowly but surely, he is showing his worth after signing in the summer for £32million.

Leading the line for Chelsea is by no means easy. Enough have tried and failed, from Romelu Lukaku and Fernando Torres to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alvaro Morata, all of whom wore the No 9 shirt which is considered cursed in the corridors of their Cobham training ground.

Jackson had the chance to take that number when he arrived from Villarreal. He declined, despite having sported it for Senegal.

It left Chelsea as one of a handful of Premier League clubs without a designated No 9, the others being Aston Villa, Tottenham, Newcastle and Wolves.

Jackson opted for the unorthodox No 15 instead – the same number worn by Didier Drogba when he first arrived at Chelsea. Comparisons to Drogba were inevitable because of those digits on his back.

Drogba scored 10 Premier League goals from 26 games in his first season, winning the title under Jose Mourinho. Jackson is now on nine from 24 in a campaign that has Chelsea sitting 11th.

Mauricio Pochettino says with time, he will learn how to exude calmness in front of goal, having spent this season pleading for patience from supporters when it comes to this Premier League newbie.

Drogba’s are big boots to fill. Ask Jackson and he himself will tell you he knows there is work to do. It would be unwise and