The question of whether Broja can link up with Nkunku as well as Jackson will define Chelsea’s New Year | OneFootball

Nicolas Jackson is the centre of heated debate among Chelsea fans online right now, with many claiming he’s not good enough after another 90 minutes of offsides and missed chances, while others point to a good goal return, impressive link up play and work rate.

It will soon be a moot point though – he’s off to the Africa Cup of Nations next month.

That will leave one obvious option to replace him – Armando Broja. It’s over a year since he made regular starts, but this will be his run, all being well. The game against Palace showed Christopher Nkunku working well off a striker, and that’s surely going to be Pochettino’s plan A.

Jackson and Nkunku looked to have an understanding right away, and we can only hope the same thing develops between Broja and the France international. Let’s hope there’s already something showing on the training ground – they certainly have some complementary skills.

Broja has got speed in behind and can stretch defences and make Nkunku space around the box. Nkunku can play long balls in for Broja to run onto when he picks the ball up on the half turn. If the academy product can get his timing right, he will get some nice opportunities.