Nicolas Jackson is a player in red-hot form.
At 21, he is beginning to show why Premier League teams like Bournemouth and Tottenham are taking a serious interest in the Senegalese striker.
A dynamic and confident player, he has been the focal point of Villarreal’s attack in recent months and a big reason behind their good form and fight for a spot in UEFA Europa League next year.
This tactical analysis will be a scout report examining how Quique Setién has deployed Nico Jackson in his team and what qualities Jackson brings to the Yellow Submarine.
It will also analyse how Jackson fits in Setién’s tactics this season.
Nicolas Jackson position under Quique Setién Tactics
Jackson has been in stellar form in his recent games, registering 6 of his 9 La Liga goals in four games for Villarreal in La Liga.
Under Setién, he plays as a striker in a 4-3-3 formation when the team has the ball.
Jackson stands 188 cm tall and, under normal circumstances, would be seen as a strong target man and a force in the air.
However, he boasts a much wider tool set and can adapt to many different roles depending on the team’s needs.
Jackson is quick and makes decisive runs in behind opposition defences to create goalscoring chances.
He also has fantastic feet and isn’t afraid to stand players up in 1 on 1 situations when possible.
Let’s examine how Jackson uses his diverse set of skills in different phases of the game.
Nico Jackson Style Of Play – A versatile player in the build-up
During build-up from the back, Villarreal tends to progress the ball slowly through the thirds and opt to retain possession and beat the press when possible.
Jackson’s role in this is to stretch the play vertically by occupying the centre-backs and maximising space for his teammates to build play.
Although Sentién encourages his team to take risks and play out the back, with Jackson, they can bypass the opposition press and play directly to the tall striker.
He has demonstrated a keen ability to hold off defenders effectively and bring his teammates into the attack to start from the front.
Having Jackson as an out-ball during build-up provides Villarreal with incredible versatility, and teams must adapt to their press or risk exposing themselves at the back.
What makes Nicolas Jackson’s style of play a true handful for opposition teams is the ability to generate chances when left alone and isolated up front.
He has incredible pace and acceleration to lose his man, but his composure and technical ability to beat players one-on-one allow him to be effective when isolated.
At times, Jackson will spin off defenders to run deep when his midfielders can get the ball and turn.
This ability to both hold up play and run in behind makes him a defender’s nightmare to play against.
Nico Jackson Defensive Phase and Offensive Transition
Setién sets his team up in a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 during the defensive phase.
Villarreal sits deep and forces the opposition to play around the outside, protecting the centre of the pitch with bodies around the box.
Jackson plays an exciting role during this phase of the game.
He attempts to split the pitch vertically and prevents the opposition centre-backs from switching the ball from one side to the other.
However, his defensive responsibilities are minimal, as he waits for the opportunity to break when they regain possession, which we will discuss later.
Upon winning possession of the ball, Jackson comes alive.
He is Villareal’s focal point of attack, tasked with progressing the ball up the field.
Often, Jackson will drop deep to facilitate the build-up, linking up with his midfielders to provide an out-ball and allowing his wingers to make penetrating runs into the vacated space in behind.
However, what sets Jackson apart from most traditional strikers of his stature is his willingness to make runs out wide and behind.
This helps stretch teams and allows Villarreal a quick transition into attack alongside their pacey wingers, Samuel Chukwueze and Yeremi Pino.
Nico Jackson Composure in the final third and pressing to win the ball back
During the build-up phase, much of Villareal’s build-up play is concentrated around Jackson.
However, when Villareal can progress the ball into the final third, they are patient and concentrate their efforts out wide.
This means Jackson stays central and waits for opportunities to link up play.
In games where opposition teams drop deep, the Senegalese international often drops deeper into midfield to help drag teams out of shape and create overloads.
Jackson is also physically imposing. With his height, he can win aerial duels from direct long balls.
This is a great option to have in the final moments of games when teams drop deep, and Villarreal are pushing for another goal.
In stark contrast, when teams set up a high line, he is keen to make runs between the centre-backs where there is space.
Of course, his pace and enthusiasm make this incredibly effective, but when backed by midfielders like Dani Parejo, this combination can be lethal.
Jackson also possesses fantastic technical skills and speed to peel wide and beat players one-on-one.
Here, Jackson is seen dragging the ball out wide left.
He then takes on his man, beats him, and scores with a composed finish.
Setién has deployed Jackson as a winger a few times this season, which proves his confidence in the young forward’s ability to work across the front line and in wide areas.
Nico Jackson Strengths and Weaknesses
Jackson provides Villarreal with a real threat going forward in La Liga.
He can hold up the ball and run in behind, which many players struggle to do.
He also possesses fantastic feet for a player of his size and stature, so the chances of a 1 on 1 seem more favourable than not.
Jackson is also a valuable asset to have during defensive set pieces.
With his height and aggression, he is a key physical figure for Villarreal.
Not only that, when asked to press, he defends with aggression and covers the ground quickly.
With the wide range of tools at his disposal, Jackson is still a young and raw talent.
He can drift in and out of games and often does not touch the ball for long periods of the game when Villarreal dominates possession.
Moreover, being 188 cm tall would suggest he is a threat in the air.
However, with just two headed goals this season, more can be expected from a man of his physical prowess.
Conclusion
Jackson has cemented himself this season as Villarreal’s main attacking threat down the middle.
With his recent purple patch of goals in La Liga complemented by regaining a starting place in the Spanish side, he is beginning to showcase why he is among the hottest prospects in European football.
Premier League clubs, such as Bournemouth, have already shown keen interest in the Senegalese international, but a move was unable to materialise in January due to a failed medical.
Jackson is a raw and talented forward.
He can link play, run in behind and beat players with a blistering pace.
Topped off with an incredible composure in front of goal for a young forward, his diverse skillset makes him a weapon and a thorn for any team he is up against.
