Chelsea’s match today at home to Burnley was supposed to be the perfect return from the international break, but instead we’re now left with even more questions after a baffling 2-2 draw.
The Blues could only manage a point from their Premier League meeting today with 10-man Burnley, who had Lorenz Assignon sent off just before half-time.
Cole Palmer scored another two goals this season to put the hosts 1-0 and then 2-1 in front. Speaking via the Sky Sports News channel (3:45pm, 30 March), Kris Boyd described Palmer as a “class act” for Chelsea in Saturday’s league fixture.
However, visitors Burnley scored late on to rescue a point in their relegation fight.
For Mauricio Pochettino’s side, where do they go from here?
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Pundit questions Chelsea player’s position
ESPN pundit Steve Nicol wasn’t impressed by what he saw from Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson in the draw versus Burnley.
The 22-year-old striker once again lead the line for the Blues, something he’s done to good effect recently. He did miss a couple of big goalscoring chances this weekend, though.
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As a result, Nicol suggests Jackson is not a natural No 9.
“Jackson up front, not a centre-forward. He had two chances today and should have scored with both of them,” Nicol told ESPN.
“You can praise the goalkeeper Muric for saving them, but the truth is it’s a toss up whether Jackson hit him or he saved it. Two clear chances. Jackson is not a centre-forward.”
Nicolas Jackson the enigma
We thought some of the hold-up play from Jackson today against Burnley was smart. You’ll rarely find him quiet in any match, too.
However, a lack of end product is something that appears in his game far too regularly for the club’s main striker right now.
It’s not the first time this season we’ve heard the suggestion that Jackson’s being played out of position and is not a centre-forward. We’re inclined to agree with that as well, but there’s not much choice right now for the manager.
He scored back-to-back league goals before Burnley and can be important for our attack moving forward, but playing him off a prolific No 9 may be the way to go long-term.
