Former World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit believes Chelsea’s rising star Nicolas Jackson has the potential to rival Erling Haaland’s incredible goal-scoring record.
Haaland has been one of football’s most prolific scorers over the past seven seasons, amassing an astonishing 263 goals in 322 games.
The Norwegian burst onto the scene at Red Bull Salzburg, where he netted 28 goals in 22 matches. His move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020 saw him elevate his game, scoring 86 goals in 89 appearances and becoming a force in the Champions League.
In 2022, Haaland joined Manchester City, where he made an immediate impact, scoring 52 goals in 53 games in his debut season.
His contributions helped City secure the Premier League and Champions League titles. Although both Haaland and City experienced a dip in form recently, the 24-year-old remains a Golden Boot winner and one of the most coveted players in the league.
However, Petit believes Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson could reach similar heights. Despite enduring a challenging first season at Stamford Bridge, the £32m striker has shown promise this term, netting nine goals in 16 Premier League games.
Petit praised Jackson’s patience and potential, noting the striker’s talent and the quality of his teammates, such as Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto. “I’ve always believed Jackson would become a top player,” Petit told Gambling Zone.
“We just needed to give him time, which is rare in football. Can he reach Haaland’s level? Absolutely. He has incredible players around him who can support him and set him up to score.”
Chelsea’s recent eight-game winning streak ended with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Everton. The stalemate leaves Chelsea four points behind league leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
Despite the draw, manager Enzo Maresca praised his squad for their performance at Goodison Park. “This was a proper game,” Maresca said.
“I’m thrilled with the team’s performance. Everton are one of Europe’s best defensively, so this wasn’t easy. Sometimes you must adapt, and that’s what we’re learning to do. I’m happier with this result than last week’s win over Brentford.”
With Chelsea showing steady improvement under Maresca, fans will be eager to see if Jackson can fulfill Petit’s prediction and emerge as a striking force in the Premier League.