Jackson goes missing again as Chelsea are left to suffer

NO wonder Nicolas Jackson was so desperate to take that penalty against Everton last Monday.

Because if this is how he finishes in open play, then he needs all the help he can get.

That maybe harsh on the Chelsea striker, but a week that started shamefully for Jackson plummeted to new depths at Wembley yesterday following a display of profligacy that contributed in no small part to his side missing out on a place in the FA Cup final.

His role in Monday’s ludicrous debacle at Stamford Bridge, when which the Ivorian tried to wrestle the ball away from team-mates Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke after Chelsea had been awarded a penalty, created an unnecessary storm on a night his team beat Everton 6-0.

And now this: a dismal display in front of goal to end his team’s trophy ambitions.

Jackson suffered one of those days when all you want is the ground to open and swallow you up. Although on this evidence he would probably have missed the chasm.

Who’s to say if Chelsea would have booked a return to the national stadium to face either Manchester United or Coventry in next month’s final had

Jackson (below) taken just one of three gilt-edged opportunities laid on a plate for him.

Chances when playing against Manchester City arrive sparingly at best. When they present themself, the opposition need to grab them.

There’s so much to admire about his game. The power, the pace — it’s a dangerous mix.

John Stones had no answer to an eye-catching dash down the left in the first half. It provided a reminder of what Jackson is capable of. But strikers score goals. The best are ruthless.

Here, Jackson showed all the composure of a child on Christmas morning.

Ask Chelsea fans.

Jackson was the butt of the joke on social media in the aftermath of the crushing loss to

City.

Chelsea’s hopes of a second domestic final

of the season blew up in smoke amid Jackson’s folly.

‘He had the game in the palm of his hand and he didn’t deliver,’ described TV pundit Jermaine Jenas.

It was a withering assessment of Jackson’s contribution from the ex-England international — but not an exaggerated one.

Behind the scenes, those close to Jackson have been at pains to brush off his role in Monday’s penalty debacle amid a sense his urgency in ignoring team instructions, that has Cole Palmer nominated as Chelsea’s first-choice penalty taker, was due to a rush of adrenaline and his will to add to his personal tally, having scored earlier in the game.

His role in the shambolic scenes were described as a reflection of his growing personality as he aims to fulfil his target of scoring 20 goals this season.

It was also pointed out that strikers should be self-centred and that Jackson is developing that egotistical streak.

There is probably an element of truth to those assertions. But any goodwill, certainly from Chelsea’s fans, is diminishing.

Head coach coach Mauricio Pochettino didn’t take too kindly to his actions against Everton.

Jackson did nothing here to make it up to his manager.

If Chelsea get their way, they will have an upgrade on Jackson in position before the start of next season.

That’s not to say his career at Stamford Bridge would necessarily go south if Chelsea secure the new No9 they so desperately crave and need.

The raw materials are there. Jackson needs moulding — and, at 22-year-old, time is on his side.

But teams the size of Chelsea can ill-afford their main source of goals to be learning on the job. That, unfortunately, is the situation with Jackson.

And if Chelsea’s American owners are to deliver on their pledges to return the club to the top of domestic and European football it looks unlikely that Jackson is the man to fire

them there.