Jackson, Jesus or Hojlund: Pundits predict next season’s most prolific striker
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Nicolas Jackson has been backed to outscore Gabriel Jesus and Rasmus Hojlund next season (Credit: Imago)

Jackson, Jesus or Hojlund: Pundits predict next season’s most prolific striker

Seye Omidiora 17:36 - 25.07.2024

The Chelsea man was compared to the Arsenal and Manchester United forwards.

Steve Nicol and Stewart Robson have predicted the top-scoring striker among Nicolas Jackson, Gabriel Jesus and Rasmus Hojlund next season. 

All three strikers were criticised last season for their underwhelming performances, even though Jackson found some form towards the end of a mixed debut campaign at Chelsea, scoring 14 Premier League goals. 

Nicolas Jackson
Nicolas Jackson scored 14 Premier League goals last season (Credit: Imago)

Hojlund also showed flashes of his potential for Manchester United in year one, finding the back of the net 10 times, outdoing Jesus, whose four-goal return at Arsenal drew criticism.

Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund scored 10 league goals last term after joining Man United from Atalanta (Credit: Imago)

What was predicted about Jackson, Jesus and Hojlund?

Speaking on ESPN, Nicol and Robson looked ahead to the 2024-25 campaign, and made predictions regarding the three frontmen. 

“I don’t think it’s going to be Jesus because he’s maybe not going to play,” said Nicol. “Jackson’s goals were in the last weeks of the season but I’ll say Jackson only because he somehow got 17 last year.”

Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus lost his place as Arsenal's primary centre-forward last season (Credit: Imago)

Robson agreed with the former Liverpool defender: “I’m interested to see what Zirkzee does for Manchester United, whether he’s going to play alongside Hojlund or whether they’ll be swapping round,” said the former Arsenal midfielder. 

“If Chelsea don’t buy another centre-forward, Nico Jackson is the centre-forward and he will score goals. He’s got great pace, even though he’s not a great finisher at the moment but he will get chances. 

"And I think he will get better. Jackson is the answer.”

What comes next?

While Hojlund has not featured for the Red Devils in the off-season after participating in the European Championship, the forward will be Manchester United’s new No. 9 next season after Anthony Martial’s departure

Meanwhile, Jackson was absent in Chelsea’s draw with Wrexham but Jesus featured for 27 minutes in Arsenal’s penalty shootout win over Bournemouth