Demba Ba supports Nicolas Jackson and urges him to ‘keep doing his thing’ after the Chelsea striker scored a brace in the 5-0 win over West Ham.

Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba has backed Nicolas Jackson to continue silencing doubters after his brace against West Ham.

Jackson has drawn heavy criticism for wasting several big chances since leaving Villarreal last summer.

But the 22-year-old took his Premier League tally to 13 after scoring twice in the 5-0 thrashing of David Moyes’ men.

And Demba Ba was quick to lash out at Jackson’s critics, urging his fellow Senegalese to “keep doing your thing”.

“Football is crazy,” Ba, who played 51 times for Chelsea, wrote on X.

Nicolas Jackson took his Premier League tally to 13 with a brace in the win over Wes Ham.

Former Blues striker Demba Ba hit out at Jackson’s critics, urging him to continue

“Nicolas Jackson was a doubt in people’s minds after missing a few chances in a match a few weeks ago.

“All of a sudden he became a great footballer/scorer. Keep doing your thing and shine my little brother.

Jackson’s first goal against West Ham came via a simple strike after being unselfishly set up by Noni Madueke.

The pair were involved in a heated argument during Chelsea’s 6-0 win over Everton last month, with both players attempting to take a penalty in place of designated taker Cole Palmer.

Both were heavily criticized for their antics, but Pochettino insisted Sunday’s performance showed his young side had matured.

Jackson’s first goal against West Ham came via a tap after being set up by Noni Madueke

“Noni’s assist to Jackson, which showed that we are learning, that we are intelligent,” Pochettino said.

“The situation with the penalty if you remember against Everton, we received a lot of criticism but a young team always needs to make mistakes, we need to feel that situation to improve.

“We are able to improve it because we are smart, intelligent people. I think today was a great action from Noni to see how the group begins to live and feel among themselves.

“It’s always a process that takes time. You never know if it will take a month, six months or a year. The most important thing is that they begin to lay down the principles, to feel and live as a group of actors who create all the links to compete.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino praised his players for learning from past mistakes

“It is reality. I am very happy about it because we (the staff) are part of this process, helping them to grow, become more mature and improve in all aspects.

“I think it’s just a first step, a massive step, but it’s a step we wanted to achieve. From there we can evolve in all other aspects.

“Without principles, without things that we start to show competitively, it is impossible to evolve other aspects.”