Chelsea made a significant announcement on Friday, June 30, revealing their latest signing of Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal. The talented Senegalese striker has been secured on an eight-year contract, marking a significant move for the club. The transfer fee for Jackson's acquisition reportedly surpasses his release clause of £30.1 million. The deal adds to Chelsea's summer signings, with Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig being their first major addition since Mauricio Pochettino took over as head coach in May. The signing of Jackson signifies the club's ambitious plans for the upcoming season.
During their official announcement, Chelsea's co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, expressed their excitement about welcoming Jackson to the team. They praised his young age and immense potential, evident in his performances for Villarreal last season. The directors believe that Jackson is ready for this next phase in his career and anticipate his fruitful collaboration with Pochettino and his fellow Chelsea teammates.
Jackson's football journey began when he moved from Senegal to Villarreal in 2019. Similar to Nkunku, he possesses the versatility to play as a central striker or on the wings. After representing Villarreal B, Jackson earned a place in the first team in 2021. His contributions include scoring 13 goals and providing six assists in 47 appearances. A potential transfer to Bournemouth in January worth around £25 million fell through due to a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for a significant portion of the previous season.
The culmination of Jackson's breakout campaign saw him receive the La Liga Player of the Month award in May, contributing to Villarreal's fifth-place finish and qualification for the Europa League. He also made his international debut for Senegal in a World Cup group-stage match against the Netherlands. As he joins Chelsea, Jackson is expected to compete for a spot in Pochettino's frontline alongside Nkunku, Armando Broja, and David Datro Fofana.
With the confirmation of Nicolas Jackson's arrival, Chelsea now faces the task of offloading surplus attacking players. Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Christian Pulisic remain on the club's roster, and their potential departures will likely be pursued in the coming weeks to streamline the squad and pave the way for Jackson's integration into the team.
