Jackson and Blues lack ruthless edge
Nicolas Jackson looks a lovely footballer, an intelligent runner with soft feet, physical prowess and a lively imagination. But he is not – yet – a killer, enjoying the aesthetic beauty of the game more than the front-post runs, penalty-spot pulls and scuffed finishes that must become his stock in trade; no serious centre-forward should allow Enzo Fernández to claim what should be the certain goal of a spot-kick. Alongside him, meanwhile, Raheem Sterling is unlikely to score prolifically in any team not managed by Pep Guardiola. When you factor in Christopher Nkunku’s injury, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke’s callowness and Mauricio Pochettino’s preferred 3-5-2 formation, it’s hard to see how Chelsea will be prolific enough to do serious damage this season. On the other hand, though, Moisés Caicedo will soon settle despite a disastrous debut cameo, and any team that has him, Fernández and Carney Chukwuemeka on the prowl in front of three centre-backs should have enough to win most games. Daniel Harris
