Pochettino tells fans to stop abusing ‘SUFFERING’ Chelsea star
Robin Bairner
- 1 Nov 2023 08:16 GMT
- 3 min read
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has told fans that they should stop targeting striker Nicolas Jackson for abuse.
Jackson was signed from Villarreal in the summer for €37 million but has not proven to be the answer to the Blues’ goalscoring problems that they had hoped.
Through nine Premier League matches this season, he has scored only two goals – against Luton and Burnley – while he has already missed one match due to suspension after picking up five bookings in his first six games, a fact he has been admonished for by Pochettino.
But the Argentine took to the defence of the 22-year-old striker, who scored nine goals in the last eight LaLiga matches last season to earn his move, after a fan should at the forward “wake up and score a goal” during the 2-0 loss against Brentford.
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Pochettino on Nico Jackson
Pochettino had a brief exchange with the supporter and was asked why he did so.
He responded: “Of course it is not the worst thing that has happened in football but we need to see also because we are very sensitive and in this situation where a player is suffering.
“For different reasons he is suffering, he has suffered an injury. After this it is difficult to train and then to score goals.
“Nico needs support. I understand the fans, they are entitled to say what they want but it was a really quiet moment and it was out of context.
“At this moment you are fragile, you need help, you need confidence and you need trust and this can change your focus.”
Pochettino previously claimed that Jackson has the potential to become one of the best Premier League strikers of all time.
He could line up against Blackburn in the EFL Cup tie on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge.
