November 2nd 2024.
Martin Keown, a former Arsenal legend, has been keeping a close eye on the Chelsea forward, Nicolas Jackson, and he has been thoroughly impressed. As Manchester United prepares to face Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, Keown has issued a warning to the Red Devils, stating that they will be facing one of the most feared players in the Premier League.
Jackson, who was signed from Villarreal for a hefty fee of £32m in the summer of 2023, had a bit of a rocky start at Stamford Bridge. Despite scoring 17 goals in all competitions, he received some criticism for his inconsistent finishing. However, it seems that those struggles are now a thing of the past as Jackson has already scored six Premier League goals this season, a tally that is only surpassed by four other players, including his Chelsea teammate, Cole Palmer.
According to Keown, Jackson is quickly establishing himself as one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League and Manchester United will have to be on their toes if they want to stop the Senegal international on Sunday. Enzo Maresca, the manager of an exciting and dynamic Chelsea team, is preparing to lead his team to Old Trafford in the same week that Manchester United sacked their manager, Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils have appointed Ruben Amorim as their new manager, but he will not take over until November 11th. In the meantime, club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in charge. United's first game under this new interim boss was a 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, but Keown believes that Chelsea will provide a much tougher test.
Keown said, "It was a liberating performance that saw United play with freedom, but make no mistake, Chelsea will be a much tougher test." He also mentioned that Maresca is likely to bring his strongest team to Old Trafford since they underestimated their midweek Carabao Cup match against Newcastle and ended up losing with a B-team.
One of the key decisions for Van Nistelrooy will be who to start in central defense, as Jackson's speed and fearlessness have made him a difficult opponent for any defense. His teammate, Cole Palmer, is known for his exceptional vision and passing abilities, which he demonstrated in last weekend's 2-1 win over Newcastle with a brilliant pass to set up Jackson's opening goal.
Keown also commented on Palmer's unique playing style, saying, "Few players would have seen that ball was on, let alone possess the quality to execute it. Palmer plays as if there's no time to lose, desperate to make sure everyone knows how exceptional he is." He also mentioned that Manchester City's academy coaches may feel frustrated that they are not benefiting from his talents.
In contrast to Chelsea's strong partnerships all over the pitch, United is currently going through a period of transition under a new manager. However, their fans are optimistic and ready to embrace this new chapter. It will be Van Nistelrooy's responsibility to ensure that the players maintain their momentum ahead of the big changes that will come under Amorim.
As we head into this weekend's round of fixtures, Manchester United finds themselves sitting in 14th place in the Premier League, closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League spots. On the other hand, Chelsea is currently in fifth place, and their fans are eager for more success. For all the latest news, exclusive content, and analysis on Chelsea, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Your privacy is important to us, and this site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
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