Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson recently shared insights into his transfer journey, which almost saw him reunite with former manager Unai Emery at Aston Villa. Under the new guidance of Enzo Maresca, Jackson has enjoyed a strong start to the current Premier League season, netting eight goals already. Following a challenging previous campaign that concluded with a total of 17 goals across all competitions, he appears to be building on that success in the current term.
At just 23 years of age, Jackson first attracted attention during his time at Villarreal under Emery's tenure. The Senegal international made his La Liga debut under Emery's watchful eye, becoming Villarreal's first-choice striker by 2022, where he ended a commendable season with 12 goals in 26 league appearances (source: The Mirror). However, a proposed transfer to Bournemouth in January 2023 ultimately fell through, paving the way for his subsequent move to Chelsea the following summer.
Jackson’s trajectory took an unexpected turn due to a hamstring injury that hindered his planned transfer to Aston Villa. Reflecting on that period, he stated, "When Unai left, he wanted me to go to Aston Villa, but I was injured. I wanted to leave because the coach came in. I had to go, but I was injured a little bit in my hamstring." The transfer ultimately collapsed as Villa's medical team advised he needed at least a month of recovery. "If they want me in one week, two weeks, I was not ready, so they had to cancel the transfer, and I went back," he explained.
Upon his return to Villarreal, Jackson experienced frustration but maintained an optimistic perspective. "When I went back, I was very angry. Not angry I didn’t sign because when we were on the plane, I told my friend, 'Don’t worry, better things will come and that's life,'” he recounted. He then committed himself to his work at Villarreal, scoring 12 goals in just two months following his return.
In that final season with Villarreal, Jackson's scoring prowess was evident as he netted nine goals in his last eight appearances, attracting interest from clubs like AC Milan before ultimately choosing to join Chelsea. He acknowledges that the hurdles he faced during the transfer saga have significantly contributed to his development as a player, particularly under Maresca's stewardship. "I think that's the most important thing in life, that the people who are near you, especially football players, are individuals who try to help you to be the best, not do whatever you want," Jackson noted.
As he continues to adapt to life at Chelsea, Jackson is becoming increasingly aware of the unique challenges and pressures that come with playing for such a high-profile club. "I was flying for those two or three months [at Villarreal], scoring every weekend. After that, I knew what I had to do to be what I wanted to be. Then I came to Chelsea, and it's a different club, with the pressure and everything, but now I'm feeling better and gaining more experience on the pitch,” he concluded.
With his career in the spotlight, Jackson aims to further establish himself as a key player for Chelsea in the seasons to come, exemplifying resilience and determination in overcoming the challenges he has faced along the way.