Demba Ba Shares Insights on Nicolas Jackson’s Bright Future at Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
In an exclusive interview with RG, former Chelsea striker Demba Ba shared his optimistic outlook on Nicolas Jackson's potential and performance during his debut season with the Blues. Jackson, who joined Chelsea last summer for a fee of around £30 million, has already made a significant impact by scoring 17 goals in all competitions.
"I'm so glad for him as I know the guys who manage him, Diomansy Kamara who is his mentor, and they are pushing him and giving him the best advice so I’m not surprised he’s doing well."
Navigating Pressure and Competition: Jackson's Journey at Chelsea
The young Senegalese striker faced immense pressure, not only from the club’s high expectations but also from constant comparisons to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. Despite a season filled with ups and downs, Jackson's efforts have led Chelsea back to Europa League football next season.
"They are not going to let him get carried away and they will make sure that he is on his toes and continues to improve."
Chelsea’s demanding environment, known for its relentless pursuit of excellence, leaves little room for error. Ba, who scored seven goals in 33 league appearances during his time at the club, understands this pressure all too well.
"The thing about being at a club like Chelsea is that there is always competition."
Ba also highlighted the intense competition among strikers during his tenure at Chelsea, which he believes still persists today. "When I was there, I had the mindset that every time I stepped on the field, I was playing for my next game because we had some of the best players in that position."
Reflecting on the Season and Pochettino's Impact: Optimism for Chelsea's Future
"It's the same till now. He (Jackson) just has to keep going, and I have no doubt that he will continue to improve. Next season will be even better because he now knows and understands what it feels like playing for Chelsea."
Under the management of Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea has experienced a season of mixed fortunes. They reached the final of the League Cup and the semi-final of the FA Cup, losing to Manchester City. Despite these setbacks, they are on the verge of returning to European competitions next season.
"I think if you consider the fact that this is a new team with young players, then they have done well to at least be in the hunt for some form of European football."
"The way they started the season, you would not have thought they could get this far, but that is the nature of football."
Ba also praised Pochettino's reputation for nurturing young talent, suggesting that the team's current cohesion is a testament to the manager's influence.
"It's just a shame they have run out of games because they are playing well now and putting teams away easily."
"Overall, they have done well and improved."
As Chelsea's season draws to a close, the future of manager Mauricio Pochettino remains uncertain. The Chelsea board is set to review the campaign before deciding if the Argentinian coach will continue, as the club aims to return to the summit of English and European football.
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