Jackson silencing doubters - but can Chelsea maintain form?

It's remarkable to think that, just six months ago, there was talk that Chelsea were attempting a cash plus Nicolas Jackson swap deal for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

No deal materialised and, although Isak remains impactful on Tyneside, Chelsea have their own star in 23-year-old Jackson, who was the driving force behind the 2-1 victory at Leicester City.

The Senegal forward opened the scoring in the 15th minute and set up in Enzo Fernandez's second-half goal.

Last season, despite Jackson scoring 17 goals in 44 games - more than legendary Didier Drogba in his maiden season at the club - there was talk that Chelsea needed to sign a striker to compete at the highest level.

"Somebody will have to tell me what Nicolas Jackson does," said ESPN pundit Craig Burley about Jackson. "He's clearly not good enough to play as a headline striker in the Premier League."

Jackson wasted a lot of chances and had a poor disciplinary record in his first season, but he is now repaying the faith and the conversation has changed.

Former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, speaking on the BBC's Planet Football podcast, placed Jackson alongside Erling Haaland, Ollie Watkins and Isak in his top four strikers in the league.

On TNT Sport's coverage of the early kick-off, Joe Cole said Jackson is "at the height of his game".

Jackson is now growing into a striker capable of becoming a match winner when talisman Cole Palmer has an off day, as he did at Leicester after suffering a heavy early challenge from Wilfred Ndidi.

His goal against Leicester had a touch of Drogba to it as he outbattled defender Wout Faes before a nice touch and finish opened the scoring.

Jackson's relentless work-rate helped Chelsea win possession high up the pitch through his pressing, creating a chance that was squandered for Noni Madueke and one that was taken by Fernandez.

But the biggest difference for Jackson is consistency in recent months.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was full of praise for Jackson after the win.

"He is working hard on the ball and off the ball. He is making an effort to understand the way we want to play," said the Italian.

"Sometimes we use him almost as a midfielder, dropping. Sometimes we use him attacking in behind. If you remember Brighton [a 4-2 home win at the end of September], or even today. It depends on the gameplan.

"We are very happy with the way Nico is playing on the ball but especially in the way he is playing off the ball - the way he is pressing. We are sure he is going to get better game after game."

Jackson told BBC Sport that his form was "just beginning" adding: "We'll talk about it when the league is finished."

Football statisticians Opta have given Chelsea a 55.9 percent chance of finishing in the Premier League top four and a 75.8 percent chance of a top-five finish.

The opens up the possibility of Champions League qualification for the first time under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership.

Spending well over £1billion across five transfer windows has seen the club face criticism but many of the players Chelsea signed are now paying dividends.

Leicester manager Steve Cooper mentioned how Chelsea had an enviable depth of talent, despite potential starters Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto pulling out shortly before kick-off.

Chelsea can often play one line-up in the league and another in cup competitions.

And are up to third on 22 points, level with Arsenal and Brighton in fourth and fifth.

Maresca's side have put themselves in a good position after 12 games to qualify for the Champions League and they can also keep half an eye on the title race, sitting just six points behind leaders Liverpool, with chasers Manchester City and Arsenal having faltered at times this season.