Enzo Maresca has praised the performances of Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea this season.
Jackson has started the season in brilliant form with five goals and three assists in eight Premier League appearances. The Senegalese striker endured a mixed first campaign in English football but has shown signs of development in his second season at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca has a difficult selection decision with Christopher Nkunku also pushing for a place in the side. Nkunku scored during Thursday’s win at Panathinaikos and is Chelsea’s leading scorer in all competitions, with eight goals, despite limited minutes.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash with Newcastle, Maresca said both players will have a big part to play this season and hailed Jackson’s form during the season’s opening weeks.
“We know very well that he (Jackson) is important for us. On the ball he is working fantastic – he’s scoring goals, he’s assisting, he’s linking with his team-mates; off the ball he is working hard, he’s pressing the way we want to press and he’s doing fantastic with us.
“We also have Christopher [Nkunku] there. He’s going to help us because the season is very long. We have so many games and also sometimes the game plan can be different, it can be more for Christopher than Nico. We also have young talent so we can choose.”
Maresca not underestimating out-of-form Newcastle
Chelsea take on a Newcastle team who are four without a win in the Premier League but Maresca believes the Magpies have been unfortunate with recent results.
“Newcastle are very clear, their physicality is very strong, they’re very good. Probably, they’ve been a bit unlucky, in the last game against Brighton, but I think they deserve some more points.
“The way they work, [they’ve had] many different years together, it’s quite clear. I really like Newcastle and now is a chance for a team to do good because they are in a difficult [stage].”
