Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was visibly emotional after another key player, expected to be pivotal for the team, sustained an injury during World Cup qualifiers.
Forward Nicolas Jackson, representing Senegal, suffered a serious ankle injury during a World Cup qualifying match. The injury occurred in the final moments of Senegal’s 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday. Jackson, 22, had to be removed from the field due to the severity of his injury.
The medical team for Senegal confirmed that Jackson will miss their next qualifier against Mauritania on Sunday evening. The diagnosis revealed a right ankle sprain, confirmed by MRI scans, requiring him to withdraw from the national team.
Jackson will now undergo a period of rest and rehabilitation, aiming to rejoin Chelsea’s pre-season training in July. Chelsea, under the management of Enzo Maresca, is preparing for a tour in the United States, starting with a match against Wrexham in California on July 24. Their pre-season schedule also includes matches against Celtic, Club America, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.
In his first season with Chelsea, Jackson scored 17 goals across all competitions. While he faced some criticism for inconsistency, his contributions and potential have been widely acknowledged.
Chelsea’s pre-season fixtures for 2024 are:
- – Chelsea vs. Wrexham on July 24 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
- – Chelsea vs. Celtic on July 27 at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana.
- – Chelsea vs. Club America on July 31 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
- – Chelsea vs. Manchester City on August 3 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
- – Chelsea vs. Real Madrid on August 6 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jackson joined Chelsea from Villarreal last summer for £31.8 million. He has been praised for his dynamic performances in the Premier League, despite some criticisms about his consistency. Gary Neville notably praised Jackson on Sky Sports’ The Gary Neville Podcast in April, appreciating his potential and contributions.
Neville said, “I genuinely like Nicolas Jackson; it might be a controversial stance, but I like him. I believe he has a lot to offer as a young player. He didn’t cost a lot of money, and despite this being his first full season in the Premier League, he’s scored many goals and continues to improve. There’s a lot to appreciate about his play.”
Neville also noted that while Jackson might not be Chelsea’s primary striker, he is a valuable second or third option in a squad of 18 to 20 players. Reflecting on Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, Neville suggested that the absence of a more consistent finisher than Jackson might have been a critical factor. He advised that Chelsea’s owners should address this need.
Despite his recent injury, Jackson’s performances have made a significant impact at Chelsea. His upcoming recovery period is crucial to ensure he is ready for the pre-season and the important matches against major clubs in the United States. His return will be essential for Chelsea’s ambitions in the coming season.
