Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has voiced support for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, despite the forward facing heavy criticism for his finishing. Speaking on his podcast, Neville described Jackson as a 'young player' with 'a lot to give', suggesting he could thrive as a second-choice striker for the Blues.
Jackson has scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 39 appearances across all competitions this season, but his decision-making in the final third has been widely questioned. Neville acknowledged that if Chelsea had a more consistent finisher, they might have won more games, but he praised Jackson's persistence and potential.
Chelsea currently sit ninth in the Premier League, five points off European qualification, despite a squad valued at over £1 billion. Manager Mauricio Pochettino is under pressure, and the club is expected to sign a top striker in the summer, with Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Brentford's Ivan Toney among the targets.
Neville's comments come amid speculation that Jackson could be replaced, but the pundit believes the 22-year-old has a future at Stamford Bridge if used as a backup option.
