Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has called on striker Nicolas Jackson to learn a tough lesson after the Senegalese forward’s reckless red card in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle United left the Blues in a difficult spot ahead of the final stretch of the Premier League season.
Jackson, who was dismissed in the 36th minute following a VAR check for serious foul play, will now miss Chelsea’s final two matches of the campaign. That includes a critical home clash against Manchester United on Friday and the season finale away at Nottingham Forest—both games that could determine Chelsea’s Champions League fate.
“It’s not the moment” to speak – but learning is a must
Maresca admitted after the game that he had not yet spoken to Jackson, but made it clear the 23-year-old must take responsibility for his actions.
“I didn’t speak to Nico, it’s not the moment,” Maresca said during his post-match press conference. “We will speak in the next day. No doubt he has to learn from it, especially at this stage of the season.”
The Chelsea boss was visibly frustrated, pointing to the importance of discipline and availability in a title-contending squad. “You have to avoid this kind of thing. You need all your squad available,” he continued. “It happened, and he will be out. Hopefully, he can learn for the future.”
Striker crisis hits at the worst time
With Jackson now suspended and Christopher Nkunku still unavailable due to injury, Chelsea’s attacking department is running thin. The 19-year-old Marc Guiu, who has shown flashes of promise, has also been nursing an injury for months and is only just nearing match fitness.
“Jackson is our nine,” Maresca said. “The other one is Marc Guiu, who has been injured for three months and is close to being back. We need to find a different solution.”
Chelsea’s lack of depth in the striking department couldn’t have come at a more inopportune moment. With only two games left in the season, the Blues sit fifth in the Premier League table—a position that currently guarantees Champions League qualification. But the margins are razor-thin.
Top-four race intensifies
Aston Villa, who trail Chelsea only on goal difference, and Nottingham Forest, just one point behind, are both breathing down the Blues’ neck. Any slip-up from Chelsea in the final two games could see them drop out of the top five, with potentially massive consequences for next season’s European ambitions.
“My feeling is you need to win both games (to qualify for the Champions League),” Maresca stated plainly. “There’s no room for mistakes.”
Given how inconsistent Chelsea have been at times this season, the task is far from straightforward. Jackson’s absence only compounds the challenge, leaving Maresca with limited options and mounting pressure.
Only four of these teams will finish in the Champions League places.
Tell us who you think will make it pic.twitter.com/7I6KLSKips
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 12, 2025
A season of rebuilding and growing pains
This season was meant to mark a new beginning for Chelsea under Maresca, with the former Leicester City boss brought in to instill a new footballing identity. And while progress has been visible in patches, the campaign has been marred by injuries, suspensions, and moments of indiscipline—Jackson’s red card being a prime example.
The Senegalese forward has had a mixed debut season in England. He’s shown flashes of brilliance and an eye for goal, but has also drawn criticism for inconsistency and a lack of maturity in high-pressure moments. Sunday’s sending-off highlighted the latter, and Maresca will be hoping the young striker takes the experience as a turning point in his development.
Pressure mounting on the touchline
As Chelsea prepare for back-to-back high-stakes games, Maresca finds himself under scrutiny as well. Though his project is still in its early phases, failure to secure Champions League football would undoubtedly invite questions about the team’s direction and the depth of their rebuild.
With the club’s hierarchy setting European qualification as a minimum target, Maresca knows anything short of that will be seen as a step backward, especially given the significant investment made in reshaping the squad.
Now, with Jackson out, Nkunku unavailable, and Guiu still recovering, Maresca is left to devise a new plan—perhaps a tactical reshuffle or an unexpected name leading the line—to carry Chelsea over the finish line.
If the Blues do manage to clinch a top-five spot, it will be through resilience, flexibility, and, most importantly, players stepping up in the absence of their main striker. Whether Jackson will learn from his misstep remains to be seen, but the damage has already been done for this season.
Chelsea will now have to face Manchester United and Nottingham Forest without a recognized centre-forward, and with Champions League qualification on the line, Maresca will be banking on his players to deliver under pressure.
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