Paul Ince highlights Chelsea ‘problem’ and says 22-year-old forward is playing out of position

Paul Ince advises Chelsea to stop playing Nicolas Jackson out of position

Former Reading manager Paul Ince feels Chelsea don’t really have a centre-forward, and they need to stop playing Nicolas Jackson out of position. Jackson, who is versatile enough to operate as a winger and a striker has demonstrated convincing performance.

The forward signed for the Blues last season, though he laboured to settle in the league but once he found his feet he didn’t look back and now has 11 goals across all competitions. The striker has assumed the role of a striker since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

With Christopher Nkunku injured and Armando Broja on loan to Fulham, Jackson is the only option the Blues have in the No. 9 position. But Ince feels Mauricio Pochettino is playing the 22-year-old out of position, as he told TalkSport:

‘’Christopher Nkunku is never fit, and Nicolas Jackson is not really a centre-forward as he likes playing on the left side, which is his normal position. They really don’t have a striker, which is a problem for them.’’

Our lack of options in the No. 9 position has forced Pochettino to use Jackson as a striker this season, but on many occasions, he has been deployed on the left. Currently, we don’t have a proper striker besides Jackson, who boasts plenty of the centre-forward traits. However, his finishing is sometimes questionable, but he brings plenty of energy when playing as a striker.

Nkunku has been a victim of injuries, and Broja is with the Cottagers on loan. Jackson is the only one left, then. On the left, the Senegalese forward has been lively and adds a different dimension to the game when playing on wings. He is always all over the pitch, track backs to help teammates in pressing.

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Next season, if we sign a striker, Jackson might be moved to the left side, with Nkunku playing as number ten. The former Villarreal striker has exemplary link-playing, so if we recruit a prodigious striker and Nkunku recovers from his injury along with Cole Palmer on the right, we should have an imposing offensive line for the upcoming campaign.