Lisbon365  Former Chelsea defender backs Nicolas Jackson to realise his own team’s potential and believes he has what it takes to win the Ballon d’Or. Lisbon365 

Jackson moved to Stamford Bridge in June 2023 for £32m after impressing in La Liga with Villarreal.

The 23-year-old scored 17 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions in his first season in west London and has made a fine start to the 2024-25 campaign under new boss Enzo Maresca.

However, Kalidou Koulibaly insists Jackson has the talent to go further and will one day have the chance to challenge for football’s top individual award.

In a recent interview, Koulibaly claimed his compatriot could become the first African to win the Ballon d’Or since George Weah almost three decades ago.

“I hope he continues to score,” Koulibaly said.

“We know that every striker’s life is a goal and Nicolas is no different. He has a great attitude and personality and for me he will become a Senegalese story, just like Sadio Mane did.”

“I always tell him that he has to follow Mane and I hope he becomes the best player in Africa, so why not in the world? He has the ability, so it’s all up to him.”

“Nicolas has to believe he can be a good player. That’s the most important thing. Every player who has ever won the Ballon d’Or believes they can do it.”

“They all think they can win this trophy, so you have to put that in Nicolas’ head,”

“Of course I’m not telling him to be selfish and ignore his teammates, but he has to think about the Ballon d’Or and if you put this image in his head, he can achieve it, and that’s what I tell him all the time.” ( Lisbon365  )