Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea
Credit: Imago / Hasan Karim - Breaking Media
Keith Hackett
Wed 25 June 2025 19:00, UK
Enzo Maresca has been told to send Nicolas Jackson back to Stamford Bridge after receiving yet another red card for Chelsea.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that, while many players get frustrated on the pitch, the striker continues to let his team, teammates, and supporters down.
During the 2024/25 season, the 24-year-old picked up seven yellow and one red card, being sent off by referee John Brooks in a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in a race for a top-five Premier League finish.
Just four appearances later for club and country, Jackson has been shown a red card yet again, with Hackett saying he should face a five-match ban rather than the two-game ban he received.
🟥 NICOLAS JACKSON IS SENT OFF FOR CHELSEA!!!
An absolutely horror challenge from the Senegalese forward, and just four minutes after coming onto the pitch, Jackson is given his marching orders. 😬 pic.twitter.com/1hMyDp0r3D
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) June 20, 2025
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Nicolas Jackson lets Chelsea fans down in Flamengo defeat
The Senegal international had been on the pitch for just four minutes, having replaced new signing Liam Delap, when he planted a studs-up challenge on Ayrton Lucas and was given his marching orders.
Going down to 10 men, the Blues eventually lost the game 3-1, but no thanks to Jackson, Maresca’s side were still able to reach the knockout stages after a simple win over Esperance on Wednesday, 25 June.
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He has only become a source of frustration, and despite notching 30 goals and 12 assists across the last two seasons, many fans are open to cashing in on him this summer.
Football Insider understands, however, that Jackson remains a key part of Chelsea’s plans ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, challenging Delap for the starting spot in the final third.
Chelsea Jackson
Nicolas Jackson’s 2024/25 campaign.
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Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “In the game of football, we all get frustrated. It’s about self-control. I don’t think Chelsea are going to be very happy, paying huge amounts of money, and he’s not available to be selected.
“For me, what I would do is send him home. As the manager, sitting on the bus, I’d tell him, ‘Off you go. I’m not paying for your hotels. Go home’. He’s letting the fans down, he’s letting the game down, and he’s letting his own manager down.”
The striker missed the 3-0 win against Esperance in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and is also set to watch from the sidelines for the Blues’ round of 16 clash against Benfica.
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