"Start him over Jackson sometimes." Chelsea Legend Ashley Cole urges Enzo Maresca to start one Chelsea star ahead of Jackson and explains why.

 Chelsea Legend Ashley Cole has urged Enzo Maresca to start one Chelsea star over Nicolas Jackson. 

Ashley Cole has called for Christopher Nkunku to get more minutes under Enzo Maresca and has given stringent reasons why. 

This season under Maresca, Nicolas Jackson has been a regular starter under Maresca. But Chelsea Legend Cole believes Nkunku would be a better option, citing the attacker’s ability to create opportunities in the box and score goals.

“He’s so clinical and a great player, Jackson is also good but Nkunku has the potential to makes things happen whenever he gets the chance in the box 18." Ashely Cole elaborated as quoted by Chelsea247

Meanwhile, Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has stated that he accepts his duty as a substitute for the time being.

The 26-year-old was called up for France’s games against Israel and Belgium this week, despite not being a regular starter at club level. When asked about his situation by L’Equipe, Nkunku replied:

“I try to perform as well as possible, whether I start or not. Afterwards, there is a coach at the club who makes his choices and we have to accept them.”

Nkunku is doing all he can to get more minutes
The France international is the club’s top scorer in all competitions this season, having scored 7 – one more than Cole Palmer.

Jackson has had a hand in 23 goals across his last 29 Premier League starts for Chelsea (16 goals, seven assists), including 11 goal involvements in his last 10 starts (eight goals, three assists) and Chelsea boss Maresca had once stated that he had  no reason to drop him. 

"We are completely 100% happy with Nicolas," he said.

"He is working hard since I arrived, he's very good on the ball in terms of numbers. We are very happy."

The numbers Maresca refers to certainly compare favourably to last season for the Senegal international - albeit with the caveat that this campaign is still in its infancy.

Jackson is averaging 0.98 goals per game this season compared to 0.45 in 2023-24, while his average xG (expected goals) so far is 0.81 versus 0.60.

He is also having more shots - 2.0 v 1.3 - five games into the 2024-25 season than in his previous campaign for the Blues.

In terms of big chances scored (1.0 v 0.4) and missed (0.5 v 0.8) Jackson's numbers appear to show a more clinical edge to his game.

Football analyst Statman Dave said: "Nicolas Jackson underperformed his xG by around six goals last season.

"This year, he's already overperforming and could be on for a really good year."

What do you think Blues? Nkunku or Jackson? Who should be a regular starter?