EPL: How Nicolas Jackson defeated street football to become Chelsea star
Nicolas Jackson rise from street footballer to a prominent figure leading Chelsea’s attack six years after, has become a widely discussed topic at Stamford Bridge.
At only 22 years old, he has shown confidence, having started his journey from the streets of The Gambia to the Premier League.
Growing up in The Gambia, Jackson told Chelsea that his dream was to play in the Premier League, but his family prioritized his education.
Despite this, he honed his skills on the streets with friends, where there were no coaches, no demands, and no rules. He attributes the informal street football education as a crucial factor in his development.
“It helped me a lot, gave me a lot of freedom. I would watch other players and learn on the pitch. It was really nice, something I will always remember,” Jackson recalls.
At the age of 16, Jackson moved to Ziguinchor, Senegal, and joined his first organized football club, ASC Tilene.
This decision marked the beginning of his journey towards Chelsea. His talent didn’t go unnoticed, and soon, he had the opportunity to join a professional club.
“My mentor – now my agent – found me there and took me to the first division in Senegal,” Jackson explains. “He took me to Casa Sport. It was a little difficult, but there was a coach [Badara Sarr] who believed in me.”
Jackson’s journey to Europe began when he signed with La Liga side Villarreal in September 2019.
It was a life-changing move for the young player. He had never been to Europe, faced a different language, different food, and was far from his family. Still, he was focused on his dreams which kept him grounded.
Jackson initially trained with Villarreal’s under-16 side, requiring time to adapt to European football and academy structures.
He progressed through the ranks, playing for the Under-16s and Under-19s, learning and developing his skills along the way.
After a year at Villarreal, Jackson moved to Spanish second-tier side Mirandes, where he faced challenges, overcame injuries, and earned valuable minutes on the pitch.
Upon returning to Villarreal, he had the opportunity to learn from Unai Emery, who shaped his mindset and game.
Jackson’s impressive performances in Emery’s first team earned him a move to Chelsea in June, and he quickly became an integral part of the squad.
Starting in all four Premier League games so far, he not only scored his first Chelsea goal against Luton Town but also, has displayed an all-around performance that has caught the eye.
