I don’t think Nicolas Jackson is the type of striker that we should as our main forward. We should go for this amazing African player that is killing it in the Bundesliga. He is going to be an upgrade to Jackson” – This is according to Chelsea legend John Mikel Obi as he advises Chelsea to look into signing a £34 million-rated Bundesliga striker who is seen as an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson and is currently outscoring Harry Kane.

 

“I don’t think Nicolas Jackson is the type of striker that we should as our main forward. We should go for this amazing African player that is killing it in the Bundesliga. He is going to be an upgrade to Jackson” – This is according to Chelsea legend John Mikel Obi as he advises Chelsea to look into signing a £34 million-rated Bundesliga striker who is seen as an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson and is currently outscoring Harry Kane.

Enzo Maresca has successfully implemented his tactics at Chelsea, leading the team to a seven-game unbeaten run and securing fourth place in the Premier League.

Enzo Maresca has successfully implemented his tactics at Chelsea, leading the team to a seven-game unbeaten run and securing fourth place in the Premier League.

Since taking over, the Italian has favored a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation that transitions into a 3-2-5 shape when in possession, with one of the full-backs, usually Malo Gusto, moving into midfield alongside the defensive midfielder.

This tactical shift has enabled Cole Palmer to secure a central role as the number ten, moving away from the right-wing position he often played last season. The England international has been in excellent form, scoring six goals and providing five assists in just nine appearances and 645 minutes of play.

Nicolas Jackson is another player thriving under Maresca, having cemented his spot as Chelsea’s starting center-forward, despite the club exploring striker options in the summer.

Jackson’s Chelsea Journey:

Chelsea signed Jackson from Villarreal in the summer of 2023, paying slightly more than his £30.1 million release clause and securing him on an eight-year deal.

In his debut season, the 23-year-old netted 17 goals and provided six assists in 44 appearances. For comparison, this surpasses Chelsea legend Didier Drogba’s first-season Premier League contributions, where Drogba scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 26 appearances.

In his second season, Drogba went on to score 16 goals and provide 16 assists across all competitions, helping Chelsea win the Premier League title.

Naturally, this places some pressure on Jackson, but he has begun the 2024/25 season with strong intent. The 23-year-old has featured in eight matches for Chelsea, scoring four goals and providing three assists in 555 minutes of play.

Jackson has started all seven Premier League games under Maresca, despite the impressive form of Christopher Nkunku, who has already netted seven goals in 11 appearances, with 430 minutes played so far.

This highlights the trust the new Chelsea manager has in the Senegalese forward, and Jackson will aim to continue justifying that faith through his goal contributions, link-up play, and tireless work ethic.

If Jackson can continue to build on his tally of 21 goals and nine assists in 52 games, Chelsea will have a real asset. However, the club might still be eyeing a new striker in January, with a potential target already excelling in the Bundesliga.

Chelsea exploring new striker options

Reports from *Footballville* suggest that Chelsea are showing interest in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush. The fee is expected to be around €40m (£33.5m).

Marmoush, 25, has impressed with nine goals and four assists in nine appearances, playing 747 minutes for the German side. Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley has described the Egyptian forward as a “late bloomer” and “electric,” highlighting his versatility to play as a striker, number ten, or on the left wing.

Marmoush has now featured in 50 matches across all competitions for Frankfurt since joining in 2023, contributing 26 goals and 12 assists over 3,892 minutes. The 25-year-old forward, who previously played for Wolfsburg, St. Pauli (on loan), and Stuttgart (on loan), developed through the Wadi Degla academy and Egypt’s second division.

Wearing the number seven for Frankfurt, Marmoush has been showcasing his talent by influencing games with impressive 1v1 finishes, clever ball control in tight spaces to create shooting opportunities, and explosive pace on the counterattack, helping both himself and his teammates get into scoring positions.

Marmoush is currently outscoring Harry Kane in the Bundesliga this season, raising questions about what his potential arrival at Chelsea would mean for the in-form Jackson.

### Marmoush vs. Jackson Comparison

To compare the two players, Jackson is 22 years old, stands 6 feet 1 inch tall, and has a wiry build. He was developed as a left-winger in the academy, which gives him some traits typical of wingers, such as strong dribbling skills.

In contrast, Marmoush is 25 years old, stands at 6 feet tall, and, as previously mentioned, is viewed as a late bloomer in his career.

FBref’s “similar players” feature indicates that Jackson is one of Marmoush’s closest matches, suggesting their playing styles are quite alike. Both players excel at running the channels, utilizing their pace and strength during transitions, and demonstrating skill in tight spaces.

### Marmoush vs. Jackson Comparison

| Stats (per 90 mins) | Marmoush | Jackson |

|—————————|———-|———|

| Goals | 1.08 | 0.69 |

| Assists | 0.72 | 0.52 |

| xG | 0.82 | 0.90 |

| Progressive Carries | 3.89 | 2.59 |

| Progressive Passes | 2.36 | 1.55 |

| Total Shots | 4.46 | 3.28 |

| Shots on Target | 1.93 | 1.72 |

| Goals per Shot | 0.19 | 0.21 |

| Shot-Creating Actions | 5.97 | 2.59 |

| Average Penalty Touches | 7.08 | 5.86 |

| Aerials Won | 0.56 | 0.52 |

*Stats taken from FBref*

Despite Jackson’s strong start to the season, Marmoush is performing at an impressive level, scoring over a goal per 90 minutes at 1.08 and assisting 0.72 goals per 90, even while generating a lower expected goals (xG) than Jackson.

The expected goals (xG) metric measures the likelihood of a shot resulting in a goal. Marmoush has a high shot volume, taking 4.46 shots per 90 and landing 1.93 on target. This slightly lowers his goals-per-shot ratio to 0.19, which is just below Jackson’s 0.21.

However, Marmoush is not merely a clinical finisher; he also averages 5.97 shot-creating actions per 90, demonstrating his ball manipulation skills. This ability enables him to create scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates. Additionally, he contributes with 3.89 progressive carries and 2.36 progressive passes, helping to advance his team—an area where Jackson also excels.

The competition between Jackson and Marmoush for the striker position would create an intriguing dynamic for Chelsea. Their rivalry could motivate each player to improve, and they might perform so well that one could be utilized on the left wing, potentially transforming Chelsea’s attacking setup.