It's worth noting that just six months ago there was talk of Chelsea seeking a cash and Nicolas Jackson swap deal for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
No deal was struck and although Isak continues to have an impact on Tyneside, Chelsea have a star of their own in 23-year-old Jackson, who was the driving force behind the 2-1 win at Leicester City.
The Senegalese striker opened the scoring in the 15th minute and set up Enzo Fernandez's second-half strike.
Although Jackson scored 17 goals in 44 games last season – more than the legendary Didier Drogba in his first season at the club – there were rumors that Chelsea needed to sign a striker to compete at the top level.
“Someone has to tell me what Nicolas Jackson is doing,” ESPN pundit Craig Burley said of Jackson last season. “He is clearly not good enough to play as a main striker in the Premier League.”
Jackson missed many opportunities and had a poor disciplinary record in his first season, but now he is repaying his trust and the conversation has changed.
Former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, speaking on the BBC's Planet Football podcast, named Jackson among his top four strikers in the league alongside Erling Haaland, Ollie Watkins and Isak.
In TNT Sport's coverage of the early kickoff, Joe Cole said Jackson was “at the top of his game.”
Jackson is now developing into a striker who can be a match-winner when talisman Cole Palmer has an off day, as he did at Leicester after being heavily challenged by Wilfred Ndidi at the start.
His goal against Leicester had a touch of Drogba as he beat defender Wout Faes before a lovely touch and finish opened the scoring.
Jackson's relentless work rate helped Chelsea win the ball high up the pitch through his pressing, creating a chance that Noni Madueke missed and one that Fernandez took.
But the biggest difference for Jackson is the consistency over the last few months.
