Post-Red Card Fury: Mikel Slams Jackson, Hints At Transfer Implications

Written By Albert Echatah

Following Chelsea’s 3-1 Club World Cup loss to Flamengo in Philadelphia, former Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel sharply criticized Nicolas Jackson for receiving a “stupid” red card.

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Mikel suggested that if Jackson can’t handle the competition for a spot in the team, he should consider leaving the club.

Chelsea initially took the lead in the first half with a goal from Pedro Neto. However, Flamengo dominated the second half, scoring three times, including two goals in a three-minute span, to secure their victory over the Premier League side.

Liam Delap, making his first start for the club since his £30 million transfer from Ipswich, was substituted after 64 minutes, between Flamengo’s first two goals.

His replacement, Jackson, was then shown a straight red card just four minutes after coming on for a reckless tackle on Ayrton Lucas. Nicolas Jackson’s recent red card, just 36 minutes into a crucial match against Newcastle United, mirrored a similar incident in the Premier League back in May.

Both instances were described as “wild acts of petulance,” leading to a suspension for the Senegal international that will extend into the new season.

Mikel, who has previously expressed doubts about Jackson’s consistency in scoring, sharply criticized the player on DAZN, calling it an “unbelievable, a stupid, stupid, stupid, mistake” and questioning his thought process.

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‘You come into the game with your side 2-1 down. Your team needs you and he does that. He did that in the league game against Newcastle, a very important game which we needed to get into the Champions League and he got a red card. Now he is has done it again. You can’t keep making these mistakes.’

Asked if Jackson’s decision not to start the game was due to frustration, Mikel replied: ‘I don’t care what his frustration is, it is a massive football club. It is about competition.

‘If you’re angry, if you’re pissed off that Delap has come onto the club and he’s going to be the competition with you, you have to embrace it if you are a big player. Because the only way we win trophies is if the competition is there.’

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