“I don’t want to lose my job because of you” For me his season is over for him , I can’t take it anymore” – Enzo Maresca frustrated on Chelsea star after what he did in Newcastle defeat
Chelsea’s hopes of sealing a Champions League spot suffered a major blow on Saturday afternoon following a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United – a result that was further marred by a costly red card to striker Nicolas Jackson.
The 23-year-old Senegal international saw red in the 35th minute after striking Newcastle’s Sven Botman in the face with his right arm. Referee John Brooks had initially shown a yellow card, but after VAR intervention and a review at the pitchside monitor, the decision was upgraded to a straight red – leaving Chelsea with 10 men for the rest of the match and without their main striker for the final stretch of the campaign.
Manager Enzo Maresca, speaking after the game, didn’t offer excuses for Jackson’s moment of recklessness.
“If the ref thinks red card, it’s a red card,” Maresca said. “We need to accept that. Sometimes in this stadium, it’s the noise that helps makes decisions, but I don’t think that about that one.”
Jackson’s dismissal comes at a critical time for Chelsea, with fellow striker Christopher Nkunku still sidelined by injury and young forward Marc Guiu only just returning from a three-month spell out.
“His season for us is finished,” Maresca confirmed. “He is our nine, our striker, so we have to find a solution for the next games. Marc Guiu is our other striker, but he has been injured for three months.”
The Blues now face daunting fixtures against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest without a recognised centre-forward – a situation that puts additional pressure on Maresca to come up with a tactical fix.
When asked whether he had spoken to Jackson about the incident, the Chelsea boss said:
“I haven’t spoken to Nico, it’s not the time. But I will speak to him in the next days.”
Maresca was clear about the lesson Jackson must take away from the costly episode.
“What you have to avoid is these kind of things, but it happened. Nico is now out for the season and hopefully he can learn for the future.”
With Champions League qualification hanging in the balance, Chelsea must now navigate the remainder of the season without their leading striker – a test of both squad depth and Maresca’s managerial mettle.
Can the Blues find a way through this crisis and secure a top-five finish? Or will Jackson’s moment of madness come back to haunt them?