The Chelsea frontman was a hard-working focal point in Sunday’s game (Picture: Getty)
Mauricio Pochettino has praised Nicolas Jackson’s performance in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool but says the striker was too isolated and needed more support.
The west Londoners fell behind early on in the first match of their new manager’s reign, with Mohamed Salah expertly picking out Luis Diaz, and the Egyptian nearly doubled the lead moments later only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.
Chelsea rallied soon after, with Axel Disasi bundling in before Ben Chilwell thought he had put the hosts ahead only for VAR to intervene once again.
The Blues dominated possession in the second half – with Liverpool’s 34% their lowest under Jurgen Klopp – but struggled to create clear-cut chances, with the game ending all square.
Jackson worked tirelessly up top and had a great chance to open his Chelsea account only to blaze over the bar; Pochettino was happy with what he saw from the 22-year-old but the team’s inability to consistently find and support the striker was one of few negatives from the game.
Asked about Jackson’s performance, Pochettino told Sky Sports: ‘I think he was fantastic. We knew him because he was playing in Spain last season – I used to live in Spain, I spend a lot of time there.
‘The only problem was that he was a little bit isolated sometimes, and sometimes he needed more help. He was fighting really well, I am very happy with his performance, but I think like a team and like a coach, we need to provide for him and play closer to him and help him.
Jackson had four shots in a lively debut on Sunday (Picture: Getty)
‘He was fighting sometimes too much, isolated, I think he didn’t like me a lot! But I think it’s about improving every day, every week.
‘It’s true that we miss a player like [Christopher] Nkunku who was perfect in combination with him, they were doing really well in pre-season.
‘The plan was to play with him, but we need to adapt. These things happen in football and we need to always be positive.’
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Asked what else his team need to do better, Pochettino continued: ‘Well I think it’s only the beginning. There were a lot of positive things, you know. But we need to improve in all the areas if we want to be a contender.
‘I think we need to improve our squad also, we are working hard to try because we need to improve our squad, and then of course it’s about working all together the moment the transfer window closes and start to work really hard to try to find the best dynamic and the best way to play.
‘But the principles are settled, step by step we need to go in this way. This result gives us belief I think and that is why I am pleased with everything.’
Probed for an update on Chelsea’s move for Moises Caicedo, Pochettino played coy, adding: ‘No, at the moment we know nothing. We are working so hard. In the moment something happens, we will inform you directly through the club.’
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The Chelsea frontman was a hard-working focal point in Sunday’s draw.