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Jackson, squandered several key opportunities at Wembley, most notably a one-on-one chance in the first half and a close-range header in the second.
Despite Nicolas Jackson's profligacy in front of goal during Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City, former Blues midfielder Joe Cole has advised the club to show faith in the young striker.
Jackson squandered several key opportunities at Wembley, notably a one-on-one chance in the first half and a close-range header in the second. This has resulted in fans and pundits criticising his performance.
However, Cole believes Chelsea should be patient with Jackson. He acknowledges the missed chances but highlights Jackson's overall contribution to the attack, stating "he does a lot 'very, very well' in attack."
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With Jackson still early in his development, Cole's advice suggests Chelsea should prioritise nurturing his talent rather than making a rash decision based on one disappointing performance.
"If I was working with him as a centre forward, a lot of it is building confidence. We've seen strikers at 22 or 23 years old not have a great goal record and then something clicks and then they go on - but it's down to the lad and his mindset," the TNT Sports pundit said.
He continued, "Jackson does a lot of things on the pitch very, very well. He can be a handful, he's got great feet, he can run the channel, he's a willing worker - and he's a young striker so he's got time on his side.
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Cole advocates for another striker
While advocating for patience with Jackson, Cole stated that Chelsea might benefit from adding another striker to the mix.
He urged the club to "definitely look to strengthen" their attacking options during the summer transfer window. This additional forward, whether a new signing or the returning Christopher Nkunku, could alleviate the pressure on Jackson's shoulders.
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19:30 - 22.04.2024
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Sharing the goal-scoring responsibility could boost Jackson's confidence and allow him to develop alongside a more experienced teammate.
"I don't know him personally - but can he deliver in the big moments? It's about moments as a centre forward. He might need somebody to come in and push him a little bit and share the responsibility as a No 9.
"Nkunku can play in a number of positions, not just No 9, but Chelsea will definitely strengthen in that area. They have to believe in the lad, they bought him as a young player and need to give him time to be nurtured.
"We've seen it so many times when players kick on. He's one of those centre forwards I'd love to work with because it's more about his mind than his technique. He needs to relax in front of goal. I hope he can get to where he needs to go.
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