Nicolas Jackson will miss Chelsea's next game after picking up another needless yellow card – and it's something Mauricio Pochettino warned him about just days ago.
The 22-year-old Senegalese forward, who joined Chelsea this summer in a £32 million deal from Villarreal, received four bookings for dissent ahead of Sunday's clash against Aston Villa.
As a result, a seemingly frustrated Pochettino made his feelings clear about Jackson's lack of discipline.
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“I talked to him today. We were talking about that. We had a meeting with him and Enzo (Fernandez)," the Argentine told The Athletic. “I said ‘come on, for a striker to have four yellow cards, to protest…to talk with the referee."
He added: “You need to get some yellow cards for different actions not because of that. It’s so easy, so cheap. I think he could put the team in a really difficult situation (if it continues). He understood."
Despite the warnings, however, Jackson received his fifth yellow card of the season against Aston Villa, which will rule him out of their next game with Fulham on October 2.
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After standing close to the ball to prevent a quick free-kick from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, referee Jarred Gillett handed out a booking.
Jackson's absence is far from ideal considering Chelsea's lack of options at present.
Armando Broja played his first game in nine months on Sunday following a serious knee injury but whether he'll be ready for a full 90 minutes is another question.
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Christopher Nkunku, another summer signing, has also struggled with a knee problem and is not expected to return until the end of the year.
"Jackson is 22, he is young, he needs to learn, to improve," Pochettino said ahead of Sunday's game at Stamford Bridge. "He is going to be a fantastic player, but he needs time.”
Topics: Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino, Aston Villa, Premier League, England