Pundit Paul Merson has now claimed that Nicolas Jackson has the potential to be a star player at Chelsea.

He told Sky Sports that he thinks the striker is struggling right now with the burden of being tasked to fire the Blues back up the table.

Jackson has come in for criticism in recent weeks for his performances as the striker, with goals still a bit difficult to come by right now.

In the biggest game of the season so far against Arsenal, Mauricio Pochettino elected to drop the Senegal international and instead line up with no recognised striker.

Instead, he started Cole Palmer in somewhat of a false nine role, where he excelled in a similar way to how he has all season so far.

Jackson has contributed a handful of goals, although the chances Chelsea are creating would suggest he should have higher numbers than he does so far.

Merson backs Jackson

Merson however has backed the 22-year-old to become a star when the pressure comes off.

He said: “With Nicolas Jackson, you’ve got to remember he’s only 22. He’s just come from another country and is now playing at a top club that, at the moment, are struggling. He seems to be the one taking the brunt of it.

“When you are 22 the confidence drains quicker than when you are 28 because you have the experience to cope with stuff. His confidence has gone a bit but for me, there’s no question he’s got the potential to be a star.”

It remains to be seen whether Jackson will be selected again for the big match on Monday against Tottenham, or if Pochettino will again choose to line up with a false nine operator in there instead.