Kalidou Koulibaly has expressed high hopes for Nicolas Jackson, his international teammate and current Chelsea forward, envisioning him as a future Ballon d’Or winner if he maintains his commitment and confidence.
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Jackson’s debut season with Chelsea had its share of challenges after a £32 million move from Villarreal, drawing criticism over inconsistency.
However, the 23-year-old has thrived this season, tallying six goals and three assists and showing resilience under new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
Koulibaly, now playing for Al-Hilal, revealed that he and fellow Senegal teammate Edouard Mendy often advise Jackson on adapting to the demands of a big club, underscoring that his growth could place him among Africa’s best players and potentially in global ranks.
Koulibaly frequently tells Jackson he could follow in Sadio Mane’s footsteps, becoming one of Africa’s greats.
He emphasized the importance of self-belief for any Ballon d’Or aspirant, saying, “Nicolas must think he can reach the top in Senegal and globally. With consistent work, he can achieve any goal.”