Former Premier League midfielder Jamie Redknapp has questioned Nicolas Jackson's ability as a centre-forward and pointed towards Chelsea's need for a new striker.

Jackson has continued to be first-choice number nine under Mauricio Pochettino this season after signing from Villarreal in the summer. The striker has struggled to adapt to the Premier League in his debut campaign in England despite being the Blues' second highest scorer.

The 22-year-old has scored 14 times for the west Londoners but has missed a number of big chances. Gary Neville has recently come out and defended the Senegal international but Redknapp questioned his ability as an out-and-out striker.

Speaking at half-time in Chelsea's London derby with Tottenham on Sky Sports, he said: "He gets himself in so many good positions, but I just don’t believe he’s going to be a clinical goal-scorer.

"I just don’t think he’s that player. I think if the right player did come up and Chelsea were to try and get another centre-forward, I am sure they would be in the market for him.

"He’s done okay this season, but the problem you have is that there is not an abundance of strikers out there. Right now they have not got a great deal of options, but he certainly needs to work on his finishing, but it is the hardest thing in the world to learn."

Jackson was unfortunate not to score in the opening minutes against Spurs with Micky van de Ven clearing his effort off the line. However, the striker did score his fourth goal against Tottenham this season with a smart header later on in the contest after Cole Palmer's free-kick smashed off the crossbar.

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