Nicolas Jackson brands himself a 'nobody' compared to Chelsea 'legend' as striker reportedly frustrated by constant comparisons

Jackson’s debut season with Chelsea was marked by criticism, even though he managed to net 17 goals. Reflecting on that period, the Senegalese forward admitted dissatisfaction with his own performances. However, after scoring seven goals and assisting three more in 12 league appearances this campaign, the Senegalese has often been compared to Drogba.

The comparison between Jackson and Drogba stems from several parallels. Both are African strikers who wore the No. 15 jersey during their early days at Stamford Bridge. However, Jackson has expressed frustration over the frequent comparisons. In a candid statement in his close quarters, he referred to Drogba as a "legend" while calling himself a "nobody" still striving to prove his worth, as revealed by Daily Mail. Interestingly, Jackson’s goal tally already surpasses Drogba’s record from their respective first 57 games, with 24 goals compared to Drogba's 23.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has been a key supporter of Jackson’s development. During his interview for the Chelsea managerial role, Maresca reportedly expressed his admiration for the squad, particularly Jackson’s potential. He convinced Chelsea’s sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, that the team did not need another striker despite discussions about signing Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. And Maresca’s confidence in Jackson as the leading man has been validated by the forward’s consistent performances.

Statistically, Jackson stands tall among the league's top scorers. Only Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins have recorded more non-penalty goals since the start of last season. As Chelsea prepare to face Aston Villa in their next Premier League fixture, Jackson will undoubtedly aim to add to his goal tally.