Chelsea fans have got to see the beautiful and the ugly side of their team this season under Mauricio Pochettino.
A number of weeks ago, things were taking a turn for the worst when they were being smashed by Liverpool, but their recent display at Manchester City, especially ahead of the League Cup final, is very encouraging.
One man whose form has picked up of late is Nicolas Jackson. He scored in the FA Cup against Aston Villa and assisted Raheem Sterling for his goal at the Etihad.
Stephen Warnock feels the Chelsea striker ‘epitomises’ what the team have been about this season, as he told The Football Show on Sky Sports.
The former left-back acknowledged that Nicolas Jackson was ‘brilliant’ against Manchester City last time out, but then there are times when he ‘can’t kick a ball’ for Chelsea.
The £30.1 million signing has been thrust into the Chelsea striker spotlight since his summer arrival because Christopher Nkunku has been injured for most parts and others simply haven’t taken their chances.
All of that has just put extra pressure on the player because he hasn’t been as consistent as people would have liked, with only seven Premier League goals to his name.
Nicolas Jackson for Chelsea
“He (Jackson) sort of epitomises Chelsea’s season and what they are this season,” said Warnock.
“His overall play is brilliant. But then there are times when he is completely off it. He looks like he can’t kick a football sometimes and his confidence is all over the place.
“But this performance at the weekend was one where you would ‘yes, great game all round’, but he hasn’t got anything for it, a goal. He didn’t score any opportunities that were very few and far between. He should do better with the opportunities. You can argue that Ederson makes incredible saves and things like that.
“I have said this, I think Chelsea have improved immensely, but I just think they are missing that killer instinct up front.”
League Cup final awaits…
This is by far the biggest game of Chelsea’s season and a sign of what direction Pochettino will be heading for the rest of this campaign.
If he can secure a win at Wembley over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, then winning that trophy will ease the pressure on his shoulders and allow the team to finish off the campaign with less noise around them.
But if Chelsea end up losing, and especially in a convincing manner like they did the last time they faced Liverpool, then Pochettino is probably a dead man walking
There have already been calls for the former Tottenham boss to be sacked, so those critics aren’t exactly going to go away if they are walking up the Wembley steps first on Sunday.
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