Nicolas
Jackson has vowed the "goals will come" but admits he has been far too
wasteful in front of goal for Chelsea this season.
The 22-year-old has scored 10 Premier League goals in his first year in
English football, but has netted just once in his last eight games across
all competitions.
Jackson arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer for £32m from Villarreal on
an eight-year contract and is yet to consistently find his best form in a
struggling Blues team.
Chelsea are ninth in the Premier League and are in danger of missing out on
European football for a second straight season, despite a huge outlay by
Todd Boehly in recent transfer windows.
Jackson has faced strong criticism for his profligacy, particularly after
the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City when the forward missed
several huge opportunities to fire Chelsea into the final.
"I think I should have scored more with the chances I missed," Jackson told
Sky Sports.
"It's good, but not what I wanted to be when I came - to play Champions
League next season. Everything happens for a reason and we try to fight next
year.
"Even if I scored 10 or 15, the most important thing is for the team to be
as high as possible and make the fans happy. Then the goals will come."
He added: "I'm trying to improve every day. The most important [thing] is
being available for the team, helping the team and playing. I miss a lot but
I'm trying to create more chances and score more. Hopefully next year it's
going to be better."
Chelsea's campaign has been badly disrupted by the unavailability of
players, including several acquired at huge expense as part of a £1billion
transfer spree over the last two years.
Notable absentees have included £70m defender Wesley Fofana, who has not
played all season after undergoing surgery on an ACL injury, and forward
Christopher Nkunku, a £52m summer signing who has been limited to seven
Premier League appearances and who, despite returning to full training, will
not be fit to face Spurs.
Romeo Lavia, bought for £58m from Southampton, has played only once for the
club while Reece James and Ben Chilwell have also had lengthy spells out of
the side.
Last week it was confirmed that Enzo Fernandez, signed for a then-British
record £105m in January 2023, will not play again this season following a
hernia operation.
But Jackson believes there are the hallmarks of a very good team in spite of
the mitigating factors.
"We are very close," said Jackson, who scored a hat-trick in the reverse
fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
"If you see the season we've had where we've played at Wembley twice, we
have five more games to fight to be in Europe and next season will be better
as the coach knows everyone now and the connection is better.
"Early on we didn't know each other but now everyone knows everyone, he
knows the characteristics of the players and where they play. It's going to
be better. We are one step closer to want we want to."
Moises Caicedo was another Chelsea player to sign an eight-year contract
last summer, when he made the move from Brighton for a fee in excess of
£100m.
Only Conor Gallagher has made more appearances for the Blues in all
competitions than Caicedo, who is eyeing more success next season.
"It's been really tough sometimes, because you know it's a young squad,"
Caicedo said.
"We are learning every day, every game. We've played a final and semi-final,
maybe next season it will be better and we'll win trophies.
"This season has been about learning. To get experience. Next season, for
sure, it will be better. I will score more goals and get more assists.
"But I'm happy to be here with the manager who is helping me. We want to win
as many titles as possible to put Chelsea where it deserves to be."
top