Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino insists Nicolas Jackson could have scored SIX against Tottenham despite his hat-trick and says he ‘needs to improve’… as he hails Cole Palmer for ‘adapting quickly’ ahead of Man City return
- Chelsea faces another tough break when they play Manchester City on Sunday
- The Blues are coming off their chaotic 4-1 win over rivals Tottenham
- Why We Should Get Excited About Cole Palmer – Listen to this It all comes to the surface
Mauricio Pochettino insists Nicolas Jackson ‘must improve’ and claims he could have scored six goals in their 4-1 win over rivals Tottenham.
The £32million summer signing from Villarreal has had a difficult start since making the move to Stamford Bridge.
Jackson scored a hat-trick against Tottenham on Monday, although some are calling it the ‘worst’ of all time, after missing a number of big chances and scoring three open goals.
Ahead of Chelsea’s tough match against reigning Premier League champions Man City, he insisted he needs to improve but is backing him to do so.
He told reporters at his pre-match press conference: ‘It’s easy to say, ‘OK, he’s scored three goals’. It’s a process.
Nicolas Jackson has been criticized despite his hat-trick against Tottenham on Monday
Mauricio Pochettino insists Jackson could have scored six goals in the 4-1 win over Spurs
Jackson missed a number of big chances before he could finally score
‘He is still young and needs to improve. Okay, scored three goals, should have scored six.
‘The most important thing is to keep him calm and relaxed and he will improve with time. Evenings like Monday help him not to be too nervous and to approach a match in a different way.’
To that point, he had scored just three goals in his first twelve games since joining the Blues.
One player who has made a fast start at Stamford Bridge is 21-year-old playmaker Cole Palmer, who signed the club from Man City’s opponents Manchester City on a seven-year deal on Sunday for £42.5 million.
Palmer is having a breakthrough season, scoring five goals and four assists in thirteen games in all competitions.
Pochettino praised Palmer for how quickly he has adapted, but like Jackson emphasized that he ‘must improve’.
He said: ‘He’s a smart guy who has adapted very quickly. We are building the team and he is taking advantage of it to see the situation and show character and personality.
‘He has to improve, but it is special that he is playing against his former teammates and club.
Pochettino believes Cole Palmer also ‘needs to improve’ despite adapting well to life at Chelsea
Palmer will take on his former side Manchester City, who travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday
Pochettino also spoke about Christopher Nkunku’s fitness status during his press conference.
He said: “We had a chat and he said to me, I want to be ready for Newcastle after the international break.
”I asked him yesterday and he said hmmm, and I said you’re a liar. It’s close and he’s doing very well. We are happy with him.
‘Romeo Lavia is also close. They trained on the field today. Hopefully next week with the team.’