Nicolas Jackson has missed Chelsea’s last two games thanks to a suspension for a red card in the second group game of the Club World Cup. We thought he would return to the team tonight.
Not only is Jackson fresher, he’s also potentially sharper. His replacement Liam Delap didn’t pull up trees against Tunis or Benfica for large stretches, and it felt likely the pair would be swapped back.
Sub call confirms bad news for Jackson
When Delap started, most took it as a pleasing display of faith in the new man from Enzo Maresca. But when it was Joao Pedro – who has had basically one full day of training with the squad – who came on to replace Delap in the second half, people really sat up and took notice.
Maresca always favours giving players a lot bedding in period. Picking the new guy over Jackson – who’s been working with the manager for a year – felt very pointed.
Jackson future suddenly in doubt after eyebrow raising decisions from Maresca
We shouldn’t jump to conclusions – perhaps there’s a tactical or fitness reason we don’t know about which has
But the overwhelmingly most likely truth seems to be that Maresca isn’t happy with him after
Of course the manager defended his forward once again after the Benfica game, but he was bound to do that. We really though Jackson would start tonight, the fact he’s not
Perhaps this is a one off punishment rather than a signal of a long term shift in the manager’s thinking. But either way it’s a huge statement.
Perhaps we will now see the Senegal star moving swiftly towards the exit? It certainly isn’t beyond the realms of possibility. David Ornstein said just a few days ago there was “some noise” about his future, and we’d expect that noise to get a lot louder now.
Even if he doesn’t get sold this summer, you’d expect this would be his last summer with Chelsea. Bringing Joao Pedro in as well as Delap, with this Emanuel Emegha guy being linked to a transfer next summer …. we still have Marc Guiu on the books …
Yeah, unless he has a great year I can’t see any point in him staying, especially if the likes of Juventus are still sniffing around.
Chelsea need a prolific goalscorer, proven world class striker if they want to move to the next level and compete with Liverpool, City and Arsenal .. It will be a total disaster if Arsenal will sign Gyokeres , Liverpool Ekitike and Chelsea will sign none. Delap is not an answer upfront, he is a future prospect. Let alone Jackson.
We don’t know what actually happened but rather first tall about is frustrated Delap against Palmeiras is exactly the samme with the deeds o f Jackson in premier leagues against the opponent. How do wave action against . Crucial.moment is most against against forward by the fact of not allowing forward to. Score. Or notice by refree or the challenges of trying to achieve a goal.. so don’t charge it personally.
Please we have alot of games to play this season let’s keep him instead door open for likes of nkuku