Tweet from Chelsea legend sparked run of great form from gunman with 21 non-penalty goals | OneFootball

Simon Johnson’s piece for the Athletic about Nicolas Jackson is a great read.

Like most of us, the writer is celebrating the Senegal striker after another game where he made a really significant contribution. His opening goal broke the deadlock, and his late effort saved by Mads Hermansen then set up Enzo Fernandez to nod into an open net.

After being kept quiet in games against Arsenal and Man U, we were keen to see Jackson back to his early season form, and he delivered once again.

As Johnson points out, that latest effort brings him up to a very significant total:

“It might come as a surprise for some to read that in [Didier] Drogba’s first 57 games for Chelsea, he scored 23 goals. Jackson’s total in his first 57 is… 24.”

Johnson also notes that back in April, Drogba went public with his backing of Jackson after one of the striker’s low points – a frustrating FA Cup semi final where he missed some great chances.

Drogba told Jackson: “keep your head high up and never stop working hard, it will pay off” in a post on Twitter, and it’s paid off. While he has not been perfect since then, the number of frustrating missed chances has dropped significantly, while he’s still keeping up the superb pressing and link play that he had already shown.

Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez celebrate a goal against Leicester. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

The last question that needs to be answered about impressive Jackson

Jackson now has 21 non-penalty goals in the Premier League since the start of last season – more than anyone apart from Ollie Watkins and Erling Haaland. He’s the complete package, and the only real question now is who to bring in to back him up.

And maybe we can all thank Didier Drogba for those encouraging words at a tough time – wouldn’t it be great for Jackson to make amends in a semi final this season?