Flamengo manager Filipe Luis has given his verdict on Nicolas Jackson’s red card and made a bold prediction about the Chelsea striker’s future.
Jackson was sent off after being on the pitch for just four minutes, with referee Ivan Barton having no choice but to dismiss him following a dangerous tackle.
It was a day for the 24-year-old and Chelsea to forget as they went on to lose 3-1 against their Brazilian opponents.
As a result of his latest sending off, Jackson will miss Chelsea’s game versus Esperance Sportive de Tunis next week.
Filipe Luis tips Nicolas Jackson to become one of the world’s best strikers
Since joining Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023, Jackson has shown ill-discipline. This was not his first red card for the Blues, with referee John Brooks dismissing the Senegal international in a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in May.
For Mark Clattenburg, Jackson was fully deserving of his red card that day. Back in the 2023/24 season, he also picked up 10 yellow cards in the Premier League.
Luis thinks Jackson’s latest red was also warranted, but the Flamengo boss is still backing him to become a top centre-forward one day.
Speaking about the incident after the game, Luis said: “Jackson is so good and he is young and he has the quality the club needs. He will surpass this little mistake. I think the red was clear, but it is just a small detail for a big player, and he can be one of the biggest strikers in the world.”
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was not too kind with his words when discussing Jackson, on the other hand.
Mikel could not believe what Jackson had done at Lincoln Financial Field and described his challenge as “stupid”.
Nicolas Jackson’s response to red card
Jackson has since apologised for his dismissal and stated that he is so “angry” at himself. The former Villarreal man says his foul was not intentional, however.
Whatever the case, this red card has come at the worst possible time for Jackson. He was already under pressure following the arrival of Liam Delap, who will now get another chance to start and prove himself against Esperance Sportive de Tunis next Wednesday, with his teammate unavailable.
Jackson needs to learn from this and quickly. But the same was said after his dismissal at St James’ Park.
