Two goals in two Premier League games for Nicolas Jackson, but two chances spurned in stoppage time here to ensure the questions over Chelsea’s nominal line-leader are going nowhere heading into the season’s first international break.
The first was no sitter, skewed into the side-netting on an awkward angle as Chelsea pushed for a late winner, having seen Eberechi Eze’s curler draw Crystal Palace level midway through the second half. The second, though, had to go in, Jackson bearing down on goal but thwarted by the arm of Dean Henderson, who was outstanding all afternoon.
And one can say had to because for as long as Erling Haaland remains in the Premier League, others strikers at supposedly elite clubs will, fairly or otherwise, be damned by comparison and held to standards anew.
Twenty-four hours earlier, Haaland had made the difference by scoring three goals from two-and-a-half chances in Manchester City’s 3-1 triumph away at West Ham. Rested by Norway’s failure to qualify for the summer’s European Championship, the dual Golden Boot winner has begun the season in startling form, with seven goals in three matches, including the first in the opening day win at Stamford Bridge.
His output already is lending an ominous feel to City’s title charge. Arsenal are expected to be their closest challengers and earlier on Saturday, Kai Havertz, made it 17 goals and assists in as many league games with his opener against Brighton. Crucially, though, he also erred when denied a winner from a chance made all by himself. Haaland, no doubt, would have scored. That is the level; those are the margins.
So, back to Chelsea, where news emerged ahead of kick-off that Jackson has agreed a new contract, reportedly to run until 2033 (his existing deal has “only” seven years left). That is an interesting show of confidence in a player the Blues spent much of the summer trying to upgrade upon, moves for Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney ultimately failing to materialise.
“I had faith in [Jackson] before and the club also,” Maresca insisted. “Just because we were looking for another striker doesn’t mean we don’t trust Nicolas absolutely. We trust Nicolas. I said when the window was still open he is doing fantastically for us.”
From now to January, I don’t know how many games we have. I like to focus on the next days. We’ll see in January
Tellingly, though, the 44-year-old also did not rule out returning to the market mid-season. We’ll see,” he added. “From now, from here to January, I don’t know how many games we have. I like to focus on the next days. We’ll see in January.”
The question then, is one of priorities, and how after so many successive windows now of heavy spending and wide recruitment, Chelsea remain in a position of weakness in more than one key position.
“We wanted a player but we want a player that we decide and then the conditions need to be our conditions,” Maresca said of the centre-forward pursuit. “If the player is not here, it means the conditions were not good for us.”
But the same remains true in goal, in particular, while the failure to reinforce at right-back amid Reece James persistent fitness struggles could prove costly, too, should the injury that forced Malo Gusto off late on prove anything serious.
Meanwhile, Conor Gallagher was sold in a hugely unpopular move, as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arrived. Whether the PSR benefits from that transaction outweigh the negative PR and offer a performance uptick remains to be seen.
Other areas have been strengthened - in depth terms - beyond need, most obviously with the late arrival of another winger in Jadon Sancho on deadline day.
Up front, Marc Guiu, Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku can provide competition, but Jackson, in all his rawness, remains the most natural No9. His goal here was a simple one, a tap-in from Cole Palmer’s fine pass. Between now and January, at least, Chelsea will need plenty more.
