‘Maresca to tell Jackson ‘you’re not that brilliant’ after Chelsea implosion’
Enzo Maresca may contemplate dropping Nicolas Jackson through the start of the Premier League season after the striker received his second red card in three appearances for Chelsea.
The Blues were looking to maintain their winning start to their Club World Cup (CWC) campaign after claiming victory over LAFC in their opening game.
But Chelsea were brought crashing down by a brilliant Flamengo side, who made the Premier League team look ordinary at best.
The West London club were hindered in their efforts to stage a comeback against the Brazilian team when Jackson was sent off for a reckless challenge just four minutes after being brought on as a substitute, as his side fell apart to concede twice in a matter of minutes.
The red card was the Senegalese striker’s second in three Chelsea appearances, after being sent off for an elbow on Sven Botman in the loss to Newcastle in May.
And according to former Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill, Jackson’s boss Maresca needs to explain that his place in Chelsea’s team is on the line.
Liam Delap may be first-choice for Chelsea next season
Speaking on talkSPORT about Jackson’s disciplinary record recently, O’Neill broke down what Maresca needed to tell his card-happy striker.
He said (23 June): “I think Maresca’s just got to get hold of him and say, ‘listen, we can’t afford for you to be out for three, six, nine games in the season.
“‘And you haven’t proved yourself to be that brilliant, so far, that we could actually maybe do without you.’
“They’ve brought in big Delap, he might start the season, who knows?”
White asked by host Jim White if Jackson’s proclivity to pick up needless cards was something that could be coached out of the striker, O’Neill explained that it absolutely could be.
Nicolas Jackson may have sealed Chelsea exit with red card
Football Insider Verdict
Jackson is likely to be slapped with a hefty suspension and it would be a surprise to see him feature again at the CWC.
And the red card the 24-year-old earned against Flamengo may well spell the end for the ex-Villareal man’s time in West London.
Jackson started last season brightly, but trailed off in the latter half of the season which was likely a major factor in Chelsea’s decision to sign Delap.
The former Ipswich man now has the perfect opportunity to seal his place as the Blues’ starting striker next season.
If Delap performs well at the CWC, it is difficult to see Jackson being able to oust the Englishman from the starting line-up, and the Senegal international may well be forced to look for a move elsewhere.