Nicolas Jackson delivered another strong response to his critics — and followed in the footsteps of club legend Didier Drogba — as he put Chelsea in control of their Premier League London derby match at West Ham.
The striker scored twice in the first half against the Hammers and set up Cole Palmer to score a third in the second minute of play after halftime.
Only Manchester City's back-to-back Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland has scored more Premier League goals than Jackson since the start of May 2024, while his 18 non-penalty goals since the start of 2023/24 is a tally that betters the likes of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
Stats such as these would seem to belie the criticism the former Villarreal forward often receives for his performances at the spearhead of Chelsea's attack — one that has often been praised primarily for the impact of Palmer.
The fact that Jackson's display against West Ham saw him emulate a display by Drogba may just help to silence his detractors further.
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His two goals were scored after just 18 minutes at London Stadium, making it the quickest brace by a Chelsea player in a Premier League match since Drogba hit two against Middlesbrough way back in January 2005.
2 - Nicolas Jackson's brace after 18 minutes is the quickest by a Chelsea player in a Premier League match since Didier Drogba v Middlesbrough in January 2005 (17 minutes). Finisher. pic.twitter.com/a5eJcr4Len
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2024
Drogba is the highest-scoring foreign player in Chelsea's history, winning four league titles and the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League in a storied career at Stamford Bridge.
Given the fact that Jackson (17) scored more goals in his first league season for the Blues than Drogba (16), perhaps the Senegal international could yet aim to emulate the Chelsea great in more ways than one.
