Nicolas Jackson warned Chelsea could target a 'different kind of player' after recent struggles - but club legend insists it's 'a matter of time' until striker hits 20 goals a season

South American frontman Jackson came in for criticism during his debut season at Stamford Bridge, with inconsistency considered to be lacking in his game following a £32 million ($40m) transfer from Villarreal, but he still found the target on 17 occasions across all competitions.

He is up to nine efforts this term, as Enzo Maresca trusts him to lead the line, and Champions League-winning former Blues player and coach Di Matteo is not convinced that Chelsea need to spend big again on another No.9.

Di Matteo, speaking in association with BetMGM, told GOAL when asked if Jackson - who has gone six games without a goal - can become the Didier Drogba-esque star that Chelsea are looking for: “I like Jackson. I can see why managers like him as well. This season he has scored quite a few goals. He has had some harsh criticism last season. He is a young player, most of them are young, and it takes a bit of time to get used to the Premier League and English football. He works very hard for the team. If you want to press as a team, he’s the first one to start it and does that so well. He’s a very unselfish player.

“I think it’s just a matter of time before he starts banging 20-odd goals. Maybe this season he has a chance. I would keep giving him the confidence. Do they need another No.9? Maybe a different kind of player to Jackson as an option. He has different options out there, they can play with a false nine. There is a really good prospect in the wings, the Spanish player [Marc Guiu], he looks very good.”

Jackson is not the only lavish recruit to face uncomfortable questions in west London. World Cup-winning Argentina international Enzo Fernandez and ex-Brighton star Moises Caicedo both arrived in nine-figure transfer deals.

As a former midfielder, Di Matteo said when asked for his take on that duo and whether they are starting to provide value for money: “They all have big price tags! Not just at Chelsea. Even now you look at the January transfer window and the amounts they are talking about for players is astonishing. Don’t get fooled by the price tag, that is just part of the market.

“Enzo is a World Cup winner, there is no doubt about his quality and leadership – I think that is probably why he is captain, because he has leadership qualities. Caicedo, he’s the N’Golo Kante player. Again, he’s coming good now. This season has probably shown why Chelsea wanted him. He was at Brighton and you could see the quality and this season he has confirmed what sort of player he is and what he will give to the team.”

Chelsea have slipped out of the Premier League title race, sitting 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, but remain in contention for major honours at home and abroad this season as a return begins to be offered on the huge amounts of cash that have been invested in assembling a squad loaded with potential.