Chelsea have confirmed they have agreed a contract extension with forward Nicolas Jackson.
Last month, the Blues revealed that they had made the move to add a further two years onto the contract of Cole Palmer, his deal now running until 2033.
That set a precedent for co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital - despite their well-documented tension behind the scenes - looking to add time onto the already-lengthy contracts of more key players.
Once reports emerged that Jackson was next in line to sign improved terms, head coach Enzo Maresca acknowledged that an announcement would be made in due course.
On Friday lunchtime, Chelsea delivered on that front, revealing that the Senegal international had committed his future to the club for the same length of time as Palmer.
This is just the start. 💙
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 13, 2024
Chelsea is delighted to announce Nicolas Jackson has signed a two-year contract extension until 2033. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/stzAMtHk6d
'I was not happy with 17 goals'
Jackson has added a further two years onto the seven-year deal that he penned when signing from Villarreal prior to the 2023-24 campaign.
Speaking to the club's official website, the 23-year-old admits that he is eager to build on his solid first season in a Chelsea shirt and help the club win trophies going forward.
He said: "The first season for any player or any striker that comes to Chelsea is not easy, but I did okay.
"I am not very happy with 17 goals because I played the whole season without injuries, but it's okay. I did good, now I hope to continue and do amazing. I am still in the learning process, learning every day, and trying to improve what I can do, and work on what I cannot do.
"It was not hard to adapt to the club because I could speak English and I'm a social person. It was easy to talk to everybody and get to know people. The only problem was the weather, but I got used to it!
"On the pitch I'm friends with everybody. It will always be like that. I hope this year together we will do more than last year and win something."
© Imago
Undeserved criticism
There were times last season when Jackson squandered clear-cut opportunities in front of goal, yet not enough was made of his positive contributions.
Jackson chipped in with 14 goals - none of them penalties - and five assists from 35 outings in the Premier League, and he has since started this campaign with two strikes and one assist from three top-flight appearances.
Since the start of last season, Jackson has scored more non-penalty goals in the Premier League than the likes of Mohamed Salah, Palmer and Kai Havertz.
While there was potential for Victor Osimhen to arrive at Chelsea and replace Jackson, Maresca and club officials are seemingly satisfied to keep him as their first-choice number one.
Darren Plant
