Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson ‘will always have my support’ after the striker’s afternoon to forget in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
The Blues striker missed a string of golden opportunities at Wembley on Saturday against a weary City side, who reached next month’s final thanks to Bernardo Silva’s second-half effort.
The Senegal international has a healthy return of 13 goals and five assists in what has been his first season in English football since his summer arrival from Villarreal.
But high-profile misses have largely been the story of his campaign.
Jackson is likely to lead the line again against Arsenal on Tuesday night when there will be greater impetus on him to find the back of the net with top scorer Cole Palmer a major doubt.
‘The first season is always difficult for players, more when you are a striker and have to score goals,’ Pochettino told a press conference on Monday.
‘I think he’s our main striker, only striker we have fit because [Christopher] Nkunku nearly didn’t play in the whole season and then [Armando] Broja moved to Fulham.
‘He is doing fantastic, an amazing job for the team, running, scoring goals and giving assists. In his first season, a young guy, he is doing fantastic.
‘He’s going to have my support always. He is fighting for the club, teammates and the team. He needs time to improve. No doubt [he will be better next season].’
Asked how Jackson has reacted in the days since the semi-final defeat, Pochettino added: ‘We were talking yesterday and he was tired, more than he normally is because the team wanted to win, the players wanted to go to the final.
‘He is young and needs to live this type of situation to improve.’
Chelsea sit in ninth place but are just three points off sixth place Newcastle United having also played at least one game less than those sides around them, leaving them firmly in contention for European qualification.
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