Former Chelsea striker, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, has voiced his preference for Nicolas Jackson over Victor Osimhen as the ideal fit for the Blues’ attacking line.
Jackson arrived at Stamford Bridge from Villarreal two years ago but has faced criticism from fans over his lack of composure in front of goal.
Despite the doubts, Hasselbaink remains a firm believer in the Senegal international’s potential.
Chelsea were strongly linked with Osimhen last summer, but the move fell through due to disagreements over the Nigerian’s wage demands.
The Super Eagles forward later secured a loan move to Turkish giants Galatasaray, where he played a pivotal role in the club’s domestic double triumph.
However, Hasselbaink remains skeptical about Osimhen’s ability to adapt to the Premier League’s demands.
“I love Isak, I think he’s magnificent, then you have Haaland, but you’re not going to get him. Then you have other strikers outside of England,” the Dutch legend stated on Obieonepodcast.
“Like Osimhen, I know he’s your countryman, but I’m not convinced that he’ll perform in the English Premier League. If it were to be in Spain or Italy, then I’d have said yes, but in the Premier League?, I’m not 100% sure.”
The former Netherlands international instead threw his support behind Jackson, praising the 23-year-old’s energy and work rate.
“I really like Jackson, and people think I’m crazy, but I like him because he brings a lot of energy into the team, and people don’t see that. The pressing from the front, the work rate, all those things are important for the progress of the team.”
“He gets lots of chances, but for me, I rather have a striker that gets lots of chances than a striker who doesn’t get chances.”
“So first of all, he’s getting chances. Now we can work on his finishing, make him calmer and make him understand.”
“Let’s not forget, before Villarreal, he was playing nowhere. He started at Villarreal, and now he’s here. And he’s still very young, 23.”
“Of the 10 chances you’re not going to improve him that he’s going to score 10. But if he can score 20% more, four more, 20 goals per season. But experience will only give him that, and somebody to work with him.”