“Replace him if you want to win the league next season” – Pochettino urged to replace Chelsea star after costing Chelsea this season
After the thrilling victory over Nottingham Forest, Mauricio Pochettino has been urged to find a replacement for Nicolas Jackson, the forward for Chelsea.
After Mykhailo Mudryk’s opening goal at the City Ground, Willy Boly and former Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi gave Forest the lead, seemingly setting up a dismal defeat for Chelsea.
With two games remaining in the season, Pochettino’s team pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory, but not before scoring twice in the final ten minutes to cut the gap with Newcastle United in sixth place.
Even after Jackson headed in a cross from the back-again Chelsea captain Reece James to seal the victory, former England winger Chris Waddle continued to critique Jackson’s play, leading Waddle to propose that Chelsea search for a new striker this summer.
Jackson has netted 14 goals in 33 Premier League appearances this season.
“Chelsea have got ability and some very good players,” Waddle said on BBC Radio 5 Live after the Premier League thriller. “There is a lot of players you can build around next season, but they definitely need a goal scorer.
“If they get a centre forward you will see Chelsea pushing for the top four next season. They just shaded it tonight.
“But Chelsea have got to sort it out next season. They have got some class players and sometimes they do play too slow. They are going the right way, but the top four is a long way off.”
Waddle also criticised Jackson during the half-time interval and suggested his performance level meant Chelsea were playing without a striker.
“A fair result so far,” he said. “Forest have had the better chances, but Chelsea have dominated the ball and they’re not looking to hurt Forest.
“Chelsea don’t have a centre forward. You cannot tell me that Raheem Sterling cannot do better than Nicolas Jackson!”