Nicolas Jackson bagged his first Chelsea hat-trick on Monday at Tottenham (Picture: Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has issued a reality check to striker Nicolas Jackson, saying he should have scored six goals when he bagged three against Tottenham on Monday night.
The 22-year-old has had a mixed time with the Blues since arriving from Villarreal over the summer, but enjoyed his best game so far when he scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win at Spurs.
That took his tally to six goals in 13 appearances, but it could well have been plenty more given the number of chances the Senegal international has missed in a Chelsea shirt.
Pochettino is well aware that his forward is not the most reliable in front of goal, reminding Jackson that even when he netted three times in north London, he could have scored even more.
‘It’s easy to say: okay, scored three goals. It’s a process. He’s still young, needs to improve,’ Pochettino told a press conference on Friday. ‘Okay scored three goals, but should have scored six.
‘The most important is to keep calm and relaxed and he is going to improve with time.
‘Nights like Monday help him not to be too much nervous and approach a game in a different way.’
Mauricio Pochettino is preparing to host Manchester City on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)
Speaking after the win at Spurs, Pochettino sounded positive that Jackson’s confidence will have been boosted by the three finishes.
‘I think it is about building his confidence. We know when a striker is young and arrives at a club like Chelsea it is massive,’ Pochettino said post-match.
‘He is so young and came from Spain, different league and he needs to improve. I hope this hat-trick can allow him top play more relaxed and find the confidence he needs.
‘I am happy for him because we know that when strikers don’t score, they suffer. So that is for people to think. He is really young, arrived to the club this summer, and it’s not easy to play for Chelsea. It’s the history, about winning, lifting trophies.
‘That’s why as a coaching staff we need to provide the tools and be calm with the way we assess things. The confidence is there and I am so happy for him because he deserves the boost.’
Jackson will likely be starting against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening as the Blues hope to capitalise on the morale boost from the chaotic win at Tottenham.
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The Blues boss is not getting carried away.