Exclusive: ‘Chelsea face gamble with Nico Jackson after 1-on-1 Maresca talks’
Enzo Maresca will be taking a “gamble” by starting Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson against Fluminense at the Club World Cup, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that, while the Blues’ manager will want to play the 24-year-old, he will be risking victory by doing so.
Maresca was told to send Jackson home following his red-card offence against Flamengo, picking up a two-match ban for his studs-up challenge on left-back Ayrton Lucas.
He returned to the bench for the 2-1 win over Palmeiras on Saturday, 5 July, but with Liam Delap now suspended for Chelsea and Joao Pedro bedding into the team, he could be handed a start.
Nicolas Jackson could start against Fluminense
The striker is well-rested, and having likely had face-to-face talks with the manager during his time away from the pitch in Hackett’s view, he could be trusted to fire the Blues to the Club World Cup final.
However, Hackett believes Maresca would be taking a huge risk doing so, suggesting that his teammates need to ensure he stays on the right side of the referee against Fluminense on Tuesday, 8 July.
There were just two club matches between the Senegalese international’s latest two red cards, also being sent off for an elbow on Newcastle United‘s Sven Botman in the Premier League last season.
Fans are becoming more and more frustrated with the player, though Football Insider understands that Jackson remains a key part of Chelsea’s future heading into the 2025/26 campaign.
Enzo Maresca to start Chelsea forward in Club World Cup semi-final
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “The manager has likely had him face-to-face. You try to ensure you keep 11 players on the pitch, and the manager, if he selects the striker, will need to keep one eye on him.
“He’s also gambling, isn’t he? The captain, or someone close by, will need to protect him. If they see something, get in quick. But if it’s another challenge, nothing can be done.
“How do you take that heat and passion out of the game? Players need to be informed more accurately of the laws of the game, what they can and cannot do. Have a clear understanding of what serious foul play is.
“Have a clear understanding that launching yourself with feet off the ground, you’re almost immediately on a yellow. There’s aggression with this player, and it needs to be controlled. The manager will want to pick him, though, won’t he? That’s the risk he needs to weigh up.”