Chelsea's Fortunate Twist of Fate: How Nicolas Jackson's Failed Bournemouth Move Could Be Their Biggest Advantage

Sliding Doors, the illustrious movie helmed by Peter Howitt, recently commemorated its 25th anniversary. The narrative revolves around Helen, portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow, and the diverging trajectories her life could assume based on a split-second decision of catching or missing a train.

Nicolas Jackson was not yet born, but Mauricio Pochettino, the man with high hopes for him at Chelsea, has already witnessed his own version of a Sliding Doors moment. Bournemouth came close to signing the 22-year-old from Villarreal in January, but the deal fell through due to concerns about a hamstring injury he had previously suffered. Jackson did not pass a medical examination in Bournemouth.

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Despite having agreed to a £21m fee, the Cherries made a cautious decision due to the looming risk of relegation. Recognizing the importance of having a full squad, they chose not to take any chances with Jackson's fitness.

If Jackson had chosen to relocate to Bournemouth, would he have primarily played alongside Dominic Solanke, who used to be with Chelsea? However, Jackson dispelled these worries by finishing the season strongly for Villarreal.

After rejoining the team in March, Jackson was shifted to a central role and impressively netted 10 goals in 11 LaLiga matches. This performance helped Villarreal secure a fifth-place finish and a spot in the Europa League. In recognition of his outstanding performance, he was awarded the LaLiga player of the month for May.

The forward's value has been increased with this form to match his €35m release clause, although it is believed that Chelsea will pay a slightly higher amount in order to secure more favorable payment conditions.

Jackson, who was born and raised in Gambia but represents Senegal, made a strong impression in his native country playing for ASC Tilene and Casa Sports de Ziguinchor before making his move to Spain in 2019. Initially, he joined Villarreal's Juvenil A team.

After gaining valuable experience on loan with Mirandes in Spain's second division,

made a significant impact upon his return to Villarreal under the guidance of Unai Emery, who is currently the head coach of Aston Villa. He is widely recognized as a promising forward with enormous potential.

In early April, a red card was given to him during a match against Real Sociedad, resulting in a one-game suspension. Prior to this, he had already lost favor with Quique Setien, the manager of Villarreal, which caught the attention of Bournemouth during the winter transfer window.

Southampton, led by Rasmus Ankersen, co-founder of Sport Republic, was also interested in signing Jackson. He had successfully come up through the youth ranks of Villarreal and made his LaLiga debut in 2021.

Chelsea is on a mission to find a prosperous opportunity in the desert, as Saudi Arabia gains popularity as the desired place for older benchwarmers. In contrast, Jackson's career is thriving, and his value has soared.

In 2021, Emery expressed his belief in the player's potential for growth. Acknowledging that sometimes players have to seek opportunities elsewhere to develop, Emery emphasized his confidence in the player's significant contribution to the team. Emery emphasized the importance of gaining experience in scoring goals as a part of the player's learning journey. Additionally, he stressed the team's commitment to nurturing young talents and placing their bets on them.

Hailing from Senegal, the talented 6ft 2in forward has earned the nickname 'next Neymar' in his home country. This distinction is well-deserved, considering his exceptional speed, impeccable dribbling abilities, and knack for finding the back of the net.

It is worth noting that Jackson's inclusion in the national team was rather recent. Just a mere two months prior to the World Cup, coach Aliou Cisse decided to summon him to the squad, ultimately selecting him as his wildcard choice.

The striker, who made his first appearance for the national team against the Netherlands in Qatar, is renowned for his ability to play directly. This is one of the reasons why Setien chose to start him in only 33 percent of Villarreal's matches before he suffered a hamstring injury setback.

Setien's focus on a slower and more strategic playing style clashed with the team's preference for a direct approach. However, Pochettino has recognized the verticality in Setien's tactics as a perfect fit for his own philosophy and the composition of his squad. As a result, Pochettino is actively seeking a flexible and adaptable forward who can excel in any position along the frontline.

However, considering Chelsea's multitude of choices on the wings and the lack of a genuine number 9 striker, even with the addition of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, Jackson may still rise as the main attacking force for the upcoming season at Stamford Bridge.

Towards the end of January, Gary O'Neil held the position of Bournemouth manager, Graham Potter was still adjusting to his role at Chelsea, and Pochettino maintained a secretive approach regarding his future plans in football.

In standing still, missing the Cherries train, Jackson is now set to embark on a move that will change the course of his life.

Could Jackson be the next Drogba?

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Personal terms on a long-term contract have been agreed

We News reporter Mark McAdam on the Transfer Show:

Nicolas Jackson is set to ignite the passion of Chelsea fans with his immense potential. As a focal point at number 9, he possesses the remarkable skill to maneuver in tight spaces and connect the gameplay seamlessly. Along with his tireless work ethic and exceptional technical prowess, his finishing abilities have notably advanced. Having proven himself in LaLiga, he has demonstrated an undeniable aptitude for scoring goals.

He possesses versatility and is capable of pressing from the front, possessing all the necessary attributes. However, one may question if Bournemouth would have been the ideal initial move for him considering their close proximity to signing him in January. Secretly, I wonder if he could potentially emulate the success of Didier Drogba and become a significant player for Chelsea.

Patience needed if Jackson joins Blues

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Jackson is in London and set to have his Chelsea medical

Chelsea are in dire need of acquiring a new No 9 this summer to address their scoring troubles. The club has not seen a striker score 20 goals in a season since Diego Costa achieved this feat six years ago.

Last season, Chelsea faced significant challenges as not a single player managed to exceed nine goals, resulting in their disappointing 12th place finish in the Premier League. This intensified the urgency to reinforce their attacking options. Nonetheless, Jackson falls short of being the high-profile signing that numerous supporters were anticipating this summer.

The 22-year-old player, who has made one appearance for Senegal's national team, was recently added to Villarreal's senior squad on a permanent basis during the last season. It is worth mentioning that he almost signed with Bournemouth in January, but unfortunately, he did not pass the medical examination.

Given his underwhelming performance of scoring only three goals in his initial 18 LaLiga matches this season, it is highly improbable that Chelsea would have shown interest in acquiring Jackson during the previous transfer window.

During the final stretch, his performance soared as he scored an impressive nine goals in his last eight matches, ultimately contributing to Villarreal's qualification in the Europa League. Jackson's remarkable form towards the end of the season placed him above Chelsea's group of forwards in the 2022/23 campaign, leading in terms of goals and opportunities converted per 90 minutes.

None of Chelsea's forwards met the expectations in the previous season, and Jackson's statistics for possession wins and completed passes do not match up well with the current attacking players at Stamford Bridge. Therefore, it would be unjust to anticipate that Jackson can single-handedly resolve Chelsea's scoring problems upon joining the team. It wouldn't be surprising to witness the club's pursuit of another number 9 this summer.

Instead, Jackson's potential should be viewed from a long-term perspective. Although he had a hot streak last season, his lack of experience at the top level and the need for improvement in certain aspects of his game suggest that Mauricio Pochettino and the Blues' fans may need to exercise patience.

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