Nicolas Jackson
- Nicolas Jackson bagged hat trick in Spurs win
- But Pochettino not happy with striker
- Nkunku likely to take spot when fit
WHAT HAPPENED?
The London derby was the most chaotic Premier League game of the season so far, with Spurs ending the contest with nine men and VAR creating plenty of controversy. Chelsea eventually triumphed 4-1, with Jackson grabbing a second-half hat trick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
WHAT THEY SAID
Despite scoring three times, Nicolas Jackson was criticised for his poor finishing in the clash, and these sentiments were echoed by his manager on Friday. Pochettino said: “It’s easy to say: okay, scored three goals. It’s a process. He’s still young, needs to improve. Okay scored three goals, but should have scored six. The most important is to keep calm and relaxed and he is going to improve with time. Nights like Monday help him not to be too much nervous and approach a game in a different way.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Due to Christopher Nkunku and Armando Broja being ruled out with injury, Nicolas Jackson has likely played more minutes than he was expecting during his early Chelsea career. The frontman now boasts five Premier League goals from 10 games, but with Nkunku set to return to full fitness after the international break, he could see his playing time limited.
Pochettino provided an update on the Frenchman’s availability ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Man City. “We had some conversation and he said to me I want to be ready for after the international break, Newcastle. I asked him yesterday and he said ‘hmmm’, and I said you are liar. It is close and he is really well. We are happy with him.”
WHAT NEXT?
Nicolas Jackson will be in action for Senegal when club football pauses after this weekend, as the Lions of Teranga take on South Sudan and Togo in World Cup qualifying. Before that, Chelsea face a tough test when they entertain Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
