Hasselbaink singles out “important” Chelsea star in Spurs win, he “gives them something else” | OneFootball

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has highlighted the importance of Nicolas Jackson after he returned against Tottenham.

Jackson featured for the first time in two months after he picked up a hamstring injury on deadline day against West Ham.

The 23-year-old didn’t complete the 90 minutes, as Enzo Maresca had stated pre-game, but he showed the Blues exactly what they had missed in his absence.

Hasselbaink hails importance of Jackson

The Senegal international didn’t score, but he was a handful for the Tottenham defence as he made runs in behind, held the ball up well and linked play nicely.

Levi Colwill labelled the Senegalese a “huge threat” after the game and he adds a different dimension to the Chelsea attack.

Colwill wasn’t the only one to praise Jackson and Hasslebaink highlighted the importance of his return to the side.

Jackson returned against Tottenham after two months injured. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

“It’s important for the team, he [Jackson] brings a lot of energy,” Hasselbaink said as quoted by Metro.

“He gives them something else they don’t have. Yes, he needs to get better at converting his chances but he’s creating his own chances a lot of the time.

“He’s putting defenders on the back foot and that’s what they’ve missed. It’s important having him back.’

Jackson has scored nine league goals this season and Chelsea will be hoping he can add to that total in the final eight league matches.

The Senegal international is viewed as a key part of the Chelsea project, but Matt Law has stated he could see a possible scenario in which the striker is sold.

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Chelsea are in the market for a new striker this summer to provide competition for Jackson and to offer an alternative option.

As much as Jackson’s improved he could really benefit from learning from another striker and having that increased competition for his place.