{"id":134323,"date":"2023-11-25T10:20:48","date_gmt":"2023-11-25T10:20:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluemull.com\/?p=134323"},"modified":"2023-11-25T10:20:48","modified_gmt":"2023-11-25T10:20:48","slug":"i-was-playing-barefoot-six-years-ago-after-dropping-out-of-school-now-im-starring-for-chelsea-in-the-premier-league-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluemull.com\/lifestyle\/i-was-playing-barefoot-six-years-ago-after-dropping-out-of-school-now-im-starring-for-chelsea-in-the-premier-league-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"I was playing barefoot six years ago after dropping out of school, now I'm starring for Chelsea in the Premier League | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
CHELSEA star Nicolas Jackson is aiming to fire the Blues to glory this season – just six years after he was playing BAREFOOT football.<\/strong><\/p>\n That was back in Senegal, where he grew up with his mother working night and day on a farm to make ends meet.<\/p>\n These days it is Jackson that is providing for his family after he penned a whopping eight-year deal with the Blues this summer after signing for \u00a332m.<\/p>\n After a tricky start to life in the Premier League, the 22-year-old forward has scored four goals in his last two matches.<\/p>\n But being Chelsea\u2019s main striker seemed a lifetime away back in 2017 as Jackson\u2019s footballing fairytale began without him even owning a pair of boots.<\/p>\n And that led to him honing his skills by playing against his mates without any shoes on after he had dropped out of school.<\/p>\n He told The Telegraph: \u201cIn Ziguinchor, it was playing on the streets, playing with your friends only.<\/p>\n \u201cNo club, just playing because you love the game. Maybe playing, one euro each, against each other.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving fun, playing without boots. Just barefoot or maybe you borrow someone\u2019s boots to play.\u201d<\/p>\n He was signed by Casa Sports in his homeland before Spanish side Villarreal swooped to bring him to Spain in 2017.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS<\/strong><\/p>\n Jackson was initially part of their B side, and had a loan at minnows Mirandes, before he finally earned his chance in the big time.<\/p>\n He made his LaLiga debut as substitute in October 2021 – but he had to wait almost a year for his first goal.<\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s first top-flight strike came in a 3-0 win at Real Valladolid in August 2022, and that proved to be a key moment for the four-capped Senegal international.<\/p>\n He went on to score 13 times in total last season, inbetween a failed transfer due to failing a medical in January, to catch the eye of Chelsea.<\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s Premier League dream move then came true – but he initially found things difficult out on the pitch this term under Mauricio Pochettino.<\/p>\n He only scored three times, twice in the league, in his first 13 appearances for the WEst London club.<\/p>\n Now both he, Pochettino and Blues supporters everywhere are hoping that he has now found top gear.<\/p>\n Jackson grabbed a hat-trick in the 4-1 win at Tottenham earlier this month before following that up with another goal in the pulsating 4-4 draw with Manchester City that followed.<\/p>\n He will be looking to continue his red-hot streak when Chelsea travel to Newcastle United this afternoon – only this time he will be wearing his Nike sponsored Mercurial Superfly 9\u2019s on his feet.<\/p>\n
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