Chelsea ace Jackson: I'm a striker because of Emery

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson admits Real Madrid great Karim Benzema was one of his inspirations.

Jackson left Villarreal for Chelsea last summer.

He told talkSPORT: When I was young, I saw Benzema playing for Real Madrid.

'I was supporting Madrid when I was young and Benzema scored a lot. Then he managed to win the Ballon d'Or. I'm not saying that I can reach that level, but if you work you can improve.

"Since I went to play in Spain, I play as a forward. Unai Emery put me as a forward, before I was a number 10 and he taught me everything about football. Before I only played because I had talent and we just played. Unai put me as a forward and for four years I played as a forward for him.

I am very happy in that position and it is my favourite position."