According to a report by TalkSPORT, pundit Alan Brazil has dismissed the idea that Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson could one day win the Ballon d’Or, despite recent praise for the young forward’s potential.
Brazil’s comments come as Chelsea fans debate whether any current players could reach such an elite level, following Cole Palmer’s recent 25th-place finish at the Ballon d’Or awards.
Chelsea teammate Kalidou Koulibaly has previously voiced high hopes for Jackson, claiming the 23-year-old could become a future Ballon d’Or winner.
Jackson has indeed made an impression in his first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring six goals and providing three assists in his first ten appearances. However, the journey from promising forward to the world’s best is steep, and Brazil remains unconvinced.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Brazil explained his skepticism, saying, “Give us a break. When he first came in, I liked him. I thought I made a mistake because he can’t finish, but now he’s finding the back of the net.
To be one of the best players in the world takes some doing. I’m sorry he’s not at that level, and he won’t be at that level.” Despite Jackson’s recent improvement in goal-scoring, Brazil argues that the young striker still lacks the elite qualities needed to reach the Ballon d’Or stage.
This opinion echoes sentiments from other analysts, including Gary Neville, who believes Chelsea may need a more prolific striker to secure a league title. For Jackson, proving his doubters wrong will require sustained performance throughout the season.
The added competition from Christopher Nkunku, who is pushing for a spot in Chelsea’s starting lineup, increases the pressure for Jackson to maintain his momentum.
Interestingly, Chelsea has a limited history when it comes to players in Ballon d’Or contention. Despite its storied legacy, no player has ever won the Ballon d’Or while representing the club.
Cole Palmer’s recent top-25 finish was an impressive milestone, but Chelsea fans felt he deserved a higher ranking given his exceptional year. Previous Chelsea players who have managed to reach the Ballon d’Or podium, though without winning, highlight the rarity of such recognition for the club… CONTINUE READING
