Chelsea signing Nicolas Jackson admits he spoke with Senegal teammate Sadio Mane before making the move from Villarral.
Bayern Munich striker Mane played for new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton.
Jackson told chelseafc.com: “I spoke to Sadio Mane about him and he spoke very highly of him, he said amazing things about him. Sadio told me the manager is going to help me a lot to improve and do well if I listen to what he has to tell me, so that is exactly what I’m going to do.”
The Senegal striker enjoyed a superb end of season with Villarreal.
He continued: “I wasn’t amazed or surprised at how well my season went, I wanted to do more! I didn’t do enough for me, because I had my goals to reach but I didn’t achieve the goals I wanted. It was very good but I wanted more.
“I am a guy that always wants more, but I always thank God for what he gave me. I’m always grateful and know how lucky I am to be able to do what I do, playing football for teams like this and in stadiums like this, but I always want to make the most of what I have been given, I always want to do better.
“I knew it was coming because I was working so hard. Everything just takes time and hard work. Before I was thinking that if I scored all the chances I had, I would have scored maybe 30 goals. I was working hard because I was missing some chances, but later I improved a lot and I improved everything, so I knew it would happen sooner or later and I was ready for it.”
Jackson added: “I always give my best and give 100 per cent and always help the team, because I want to achieve things as a person and as a group. I always want more achievements, so hopefully if I work hard here those things will come and we will achieve things together at Chelsea, with the support of my team-mates and the fans.”
