Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has a bit of sympathy for Nicolas Jackson after a tough season.
Jackson saw his Premier League campaign come to a premature end after he was sent off in Chelsea‘s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
It saw him miss his side’s two final games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. Rangers legend Ally McCoist has criticised Jackson’s finishing, with the striker only managing to score 10 goals in the top flight this term.
However, Cundy does not think Jackson has been helped by a lack of competition, an issue that Chelsea are likely to address when the transfer window opens.
Jason Cundy confident Liam Delap signing can help Nicolas Jackson to improve
Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap could be the man who arrives at Chelsea to provide Jackson with some genuine competition.
It is thought that Chelsea are confident of winning the race for Delap ahead of Premier League rivals Manchester United.
It is a move that Cundy is not against, with the 55-year-old adamant that Jackson needs someone to challenge him for his spot if he is to develop.
Speaking about Delap and Jackson on talkSPORT, he said: “He fits the profile, doesn’t he? You think about what we’ve bought, young players. There’s a lot to like.
“I think it’s unfair because he [Jackson] has led the line for two seasons now. He needs to be pressed, he needs to be put under pressure, he needs to be challenged. He’s had no challenge, and I don’t think the fact that we’ve not had someone else competing for that shirt has helped his development, I really don’t. I think he needs someone to push him to get the best out of him.”
Delap has made a good impression in the English top flight this season, netting more times than Jackson.
In total, the England U21 international has made 31 appearances and scored 12 goals. Forest are also interested in Delap, but Chelsea and United seem to be the two frontrunners for his signature.
Liam Delap’s playing style
Delap is a big, strong, old-fashioned-type centre-forward who can make good use of his body.
When former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson spoke about Delap after Ipswich hosted Chelsea last December, he said (via BBC Sport): “He is a quality player. He led the line on his own against Chelsea. At times, Chelsea were playing a back five with four players in front, and they defended resolutely, but he was always an outlet.
“He is a pest. He is a nuisance. He is always there on the shoulders of the centre-backs. He is making runs in the channels. He is always available. When it looks like he isn’t going to win the ball, he puts his body in between the player and the ball, somehow managing to win a free-kick or something for his team. He is a top, top player.”
All in all, Delap is a great fit for English football, and his potential arrival at Stamford Bridge could do a lot of good for Jackson and Chelsea as a whole.
Of course, if the Blues went on to sign two new strikers this summer, then that would not be a positive development for Jackson.
And according to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea bringing in two forwards is a possibility.
