Look, let’s be real. If you’ve spent any time on social media or in a Chelsea Discord lately, you’ve seen the memes. The misses. The chaotic energy. It’s easy to dismiss him as a "fodder" player. But honestly, if you're playing nicolas jackson fc 24 like he’s just another generic striker, you’re completely missing the point of why this card is actually a low-key beast in the right hands.
He is frustrating. He is erratic. But he is also one of the most uniquely useful players in the game if you understand the "Nicolas Jackson experience."
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The Stats vs. The Feel: Why the 78 Base Card is a Lie
When you first see that 78-rated common gold card, you probably keep scrolling. I get it. A 78 rating in the middle of a power-crept cycle feels like bringing a knife to a tank fight. But stats in FC 24 can be weirdly deceptive.
Jackson’s base card has 85 pace and 78 dribbling. On paper? Meh. In-game? He feels surprisingly "glitchy." Because of his 6'1" frame and "Tall and Lean" body type, he has this strange ability to poke his leg out and win balls he has no business winning. It’s that Chelsea chaos factor translated into code.
Breaking Down the Base Numbers (Before the Evos)
The shooting is the elephant in the room. 75 finishing. Yeah, it’s not great. You’ll find yourself screaming at the screen when he drags a shot wide of the far post. But his 83 positioning is the secret sauce. He’s always there. While other strikers with higher ratings are hiding behind center-backs, Jackson is constantly making those diagonal runs that pull AI defenders out of position.
His physicals are also much better than the face card suggests. 82 strength might look average, but combined with his height, he can actually hold off a Gold Virgil van Dijk for just long enough to lay it off to a winger. It’s not about him being a clinical finisher; it’s about him being a nuisance.
The Showdown SBC: When He Became a Meta Threat
If you were lucky enough to do the Showdown SBC back in February, you know what I’m talking about. That 87-rated card was a massive jump. Suddenly, we weren't talking about a "fun" card anymore—we were talking about a legitimate starter.
The SBC required an 85-rated and an 86-rated squad, costing about 134k coins at the time. A lot of people skipped it because they thought, "Why would I pay six figures for Jackson?" Then he got the upgrades.
With the +2 boost, his pace shot up to the low 90s. His dribbling became much more responsive. But the real game-changer was the PlayStyles. In FC 24, PlayStyles are everything. Jackson was gifted Rapid and Technical, which basically fixed his "clunky" feeling. When you hold R1/RB to do a controlled sprint with him, he actually keeps the ball close to his feet now.
Evolutions: Making the "God Tier" Jackson
This is where the real nerds (myself included) have been having a blast. The nicolas jackson fc 24 Evolutions path has been one of the most rewarding for Chelsea fans or anyone building a Premier League squad.
If you’ve been stacking the right Evos—like the "Unleashing Potential" or various TOTS Plus paths—you can actually get Jackson up to a 93 or 94 rating. At that point, the "fodder" talk dies. You're looking at:
- 95+ Pace
- 90+ Finishing
- 94+ Dribbling
- 5-star Weak Foot (if you timed the Evos right)
I've seen some "Evo-ed" Jacksons that genuinely feel better than Base Icon cards. The Trickster and Acrobatic PlayStyles that often come with these upgrades make him feel like a completely different human being on the virtual pitch.
Career Mode: The Late Bloomer
If you’re not a sweaty Ultimate Team player and you prefer the chill vibes of Career Mode, Jackson is a fascinating project. He starts at 78, but his potential is usually capped around 84 or 85.
Honestly, that potential feels a bit low. If you use the dynamic potential system—meaning you actually play him every game and he bags 20+ goals—you can easily push him into the 88-90 range within three seasons.
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He’s 22 years old at the start. You've got plenty of time.
The move is to train his "Shooting" specifically. Don't worry about his pace; it grows naturally. Focus on his composure and finishing. By season three, he becomes a physical monster who actually knows where the back of the net is. Plus, his wage is relatively low compared to the big-name strikers, making him a great "buy low, sell high" candidate if you’re managing a mid-tier club.
What Most People Get Wrong About Using Him
The biggest mistake I see? People try to use Jackson like he’s Erling Haaland.
He isn't a "set it and forget it" target man. If you just lob crosses at him and hope for the best, you’re going to have a bad time. His aerial stats are actually one of his weakest points (70ish heading accuracy).
Instead, use him as a False 9 or a Target Forward who drops deep. Jackson is a facilitator. He’s great at receiving the ball with his back to goal, holding it for a second, and then playing a "Tiki Taka" style pass to a surging Cole Palmer or a pacy winger.
Pro Tips for the Pitch:
- Use L1/LB triggers: Constantly trigger his runs manually. His AI positioning is good, but his manual runs are lethal because of his acceleration.
- Don't force the long shot: Seriously. His long-shot stats are abysmal. Stay inside the box.
- Abuse the Rapid PlayStyle: If you have the upgraded versions, use the knock-on (flicking the right stick) when you have space. He’s surprisingly fast over long distances.
The Verdict: Is He Worth It?
In the current state of nicolas jackson fc 24, he’s a specialist's choice.
If you want the most meta, "I-must-win-every-game" squad, you’re probably still using Mbappe or Eusebio. But if you’re bored of the same five players and want someone who actually feels unique, Jackson is your guy. There’s a certain satisfaction in scoring a hat-trick with a player the community loves to hate.
He represents the "chaos" of modern football. One minute he’s tripping over the ball, the next he’s weaving through three defenders like he’s prime R9.
Your Next Steps to Mastering Jackson
- Check your Club for Evos: See if you have any "Attacker" or "Premier League" Evolutions active. Even a small boost to his composure makes a world of difference.
- Apply a Hunter Chemistry Style: Don't overthink this. He needs the pace boost and the finishing help. It’s the only way to make his base or early special cards viable.
- Practice the "Technical" Dribble: If you’re using an upgraded version with the Technical PlayStyle, spend five minutes in the arena practicing R1/RB dribbling. It’s his best weapon.
- Monitor his Market Price: If you’re looking for his TOTW or special cards, they tend to fluctuate. Don't overpay—wait for the weekend sell-off.
Ultimately, the best way to understand Jackson is to embrace the inconsistency. He’s a high-ceiling, low-floor player who rewards patience and manual control. Stop looking at the 78 on the card and start looking at how he actually moves on the grass. You might be surprised.