Nicolas Jackson Erupts Over Controversial Flamengo Red Card as Enzo Maresca Delivers His Judgment
Nicolas Jackson has issued an apology to Chelsea supporters following his damaging red card during Friday's Club World Cup loss to Flamengo.
The Senegalese forward, who received an early dismissal in May's defeat against Newcastle United, managed only four minutes as a substitute versus Flamengo before a reckless tackle resulted in a direct red card with approximately 20 minutes left to play.
After already drawing criticism from supporters due to his Premier League sending-off last month, Jackson used social media to express regret for his recent disciplinary failure.
"I want to say sorry," he posted. "To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down.
"Another red card...and honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a football moment that went the wrong way.
"No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry."
Ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel delivered harsh criticism of Jackson during DAZN's match broadcast, cautioning the 24-year-old that new acquisition Liam Delap could readily replace him in the starting eleven.
"[It's an] unbelievable, stupid, stupid, stupid mistake, I don't know what is going through his head," Mikel said. "You come into the game at 2–1 down and your team needs you and he does that.
"He did that at Newcastle, a very important game we needed to win to get to the Champions League. You can't keep making mistakes. I don't care what his frustration is, it is massive club, Chelsea Football Club.
"If you are annoyed that Delap is going to be the competition with you, if you are a big player you have to embrace it. We can become successful together as a team. [Enzo] Maresca must ask [himself], 'Do I still trust this guy or do I stick with the player I brought into the football club, Delap?'. If he doesn't trust him then it is time for Delap to start the game.
"It is the competition he is not embracing, he wants to be the only guy in the club. No, healthy competition is important. If he is not ready for it he shouldn't be at Chelsea Football Club."
Head coach Enzo Maresca, however, adopted a more measured stance in his comments when questioned about whether Jackson's poor discipline might result in him being permanently dropped for Delap.
"No, the red card has nothing to do with Nico's future," Maresca stated. "He had the first one against Newcastle when Liam was not even here and another one [against Flamengo].
"I'm not sure that it's 100% a red card but the referee decided for that, and Nico knows very well that in both situations [it] was not something good for the team."