There are question marks about Nicolas Jackson's long-term future at Chelsea - not because of his latest red card but because so many clubs want to sign a striker this summer.
Jackson was sent off for a studs-up challenge only four minutes after coming on as a substitute during Chelsea's 3-1 loss to Flamengo at the Club World Cup on Friday.
The red card, his second in five games following his dismissal against Newcastle last month, has put his future at Chelsea in the spotlight following the £30m arrival of Liam Delap.
Sky in Italy say Juventus and Napoli want to sign Jackson, who scored 13 goals in 36 games in all competitions last season, but other clubs are interested as well.
Chelsea signed Jackson from Villarreal two years ago for £30m. Last summer he signed a two-year contract extension which ties him to Chelsea until 2033.
Chelsea have already brought in Delap from Ipswich this summer and may well sign another striker before the end of the transfer window.
Jackson will be suspended for Chelsea's final Group D game against Esperance on Wednesday at the Club World Cup and FIFA can increase his automatic one-match suspension after they review the incident.
He is also suspended for Chelsea's opening Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace after his red card at St James' Park, which earned him a three-match ban.
Jackson apologised on social media last night for his red card against Flamengo, saying on Instagram: "I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team-mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down.
"Another red card… And honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation.
"I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a moment in football that went the wrong way.
"No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me.
"Sorry. Sorry, Sorry."
Jackson red a 'stupid' mistake
Jackson's red card against Flamengo prompted an angry reaction from former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012.
"Unbelievable. Stupid, stupid, stupid mistake," Mikel told DAZN.
"I don't know what's going through his head. You come into the game, you're 2-1 down, your team needs you and you do that.
"He did it in the important Premier League game against Newcastle, when we needed to win to qualify for the Champions League places, and he has done it again.
"You can't keep making mistakes."
Jackson's red card came after an impressive first start from Delap, who has joined Chelsea to compete for the Senegal international's starting spot in Enzo Maresca's team.
"I don't care what his frustration is," added Mikel. "Chelsea is a massive football club and it's about competition.
"If you are angry, if you are p****d off that Delap is coming to the club and he is going to be your competition, you have to embrace it.
"If you are a big player, you embrace it.
"Jackson needs to have a look at himself and think where he wants his Chelsea career to go from here.
"The manager has brought in a striker so now if the manager starts to doubt him, if he keeps making mistakes and letting his team-mates and the club down, then it is time for Delap to start the games.
"The manager has a decision to make now."
Maresca would not be drawn on Jackson's sending off in his post-match interview. "It was a red card so nothing to say," he said.
McForlemu
0
Make Una buy am na shabi Una Dey find striker
Doesn't mean we are interested in buying him. He's more useful to Chelsea than you guys appreciate.
caacklmnry
0
One error and you condemn him like that? Not fair at all. Jackson is getting better every season and I see him as a little Drogba for Chelsea. People make mistakes. He will learn his lesson. come on...
Make Una buy am na shabi Una Dey find striker
Cicclptu
0
you should rather shut your dirty mouth
here comes another stupid Nigerian
japadtuy
0
Mikel Just shut your mouth, why do you hate Jackson to the bones, are you still fighting for Osimhen
you should rather shut your dirty mouth
fauabikmty
1
Jackson is becoming stupid.
Wunlorsz
2
Obi is just fighting for his Nigerian brother, let him leave the boy alone.
Wunlorsz
0
One error and you condemn him like that? Not fair at all. Jackson is getting better every season and I see him as a little Drogba for Chelsea. People make mistakes. He will learn his lesson. come on...
100 percent agree with what you said.
Wunlorsz
1
Red is part of football, no player, I mean no player will go about taking red cards intentionally. I believe,he is an amazing player, he just needs time.
Wunlorsz
2
He is an incredible striker.
Jamesdeyborni
0
If Chelsea owners continue like this it we not favor them Chelsea as a club need leadership someone like victor
Mrrben123
0
Well anything better for us we still active
MwenePuta
0
Really? Just because the red card? Chelsea is not serious.
sammyluv84
0
I supposed wipe dis guy cord for head. he is such a useless and unreliable player.
dokcemrtuz
0
no joke
hkck
5
the idiot must go including Enzo Maresca, Wesley Fofana, Robert Sanchez, Nkuku, Rahim Sterling, Badiashile, Chiwell all those players who's not adding any value to the club must use the door 🚪
hkck
2
the idiot must go including Enzo Maresca and Robert Sanchez
Hecceinz
1
Jackson has not proven anything as a Striker to be a Chelsea player
Hecceinz
1
Chelsea does not need Jacks
BwoyPrince
1
They should stop blaming Jackson and blame the foolish coach of us
yonbilmsty
1
uselss coach courage Jackson u will do better
bueaeilnsu
0
I love to see Jackson missing changes and get more red card, so that he will end up be sold my force.
Nunlmprstz
1
2 reds in 4games not acceptable. He did not cloth himself in glory with the way the two incidences happened. Both did not only cost the team but exposed Jackson completely.
Loccdipy
3
These things happen in football games. It is an indication of effort. It was not intentional. He will learn from his mistakes. Let's move on.
Lameckmbewe
1
let him go..
yuydiknrst
1
another ...Balloteli and diego costa
all with no manners
Cicclptu
1
Mikel Just shut your mouth, why do you hate Jackson to the bones, are you still fighting for Osimhen
BennyDubem2k
1
another ...Balloteli and diego costa
Those 2 you mentioned were both very well ahead of Jackson in their prime.
McForlemu
0
One error and you condemn him like that? Not fair at all. Jackson is getting better every season and I see him as a little Drogba for Chelsea. People make mistakes. He will learn his lesson. come on...
The boy is young and learning. Pardon him. He will learn to be calmer and more controlled in more difficult situations!
McForlemu
0
Are you people not thinking before you talk Jackson first season score 15 goals second season he score 13 goals with 19 yellow card and 2 red card and you said his improving How ???
Maybe you're the one who is not thinking here! Did you consider periods spent injured too? Or just blunt stats move you!
Funacknru
0
another ...Balloteli and diego costa
Diego costa better pass this one
Kgwarait
1
Please sell Jackson.
feadekotz
1
This is not one erro he did some in EPL
feadekotz
0
Sell him
bokcdnosuz
0
Just go and never come back again
Yorokiri
2
Jackson accumulation of yellow and Red cards is becoming alarming, he's an attacker for crying out loud, even defenders don't accumulate such amount of yellow cards.
Yorokiri
1
Mikel or milk you should have called your brother and advised him not on the media like this do you want him to lose his Job remember it's a job here we're talking about
Mikel was on punditry duty so he has to do his job... if he's bias, then he's not supposed to be on live television...
lepabirsuz
0
Nico is a gem to reach this level and produce more than Drogba in both of their individual first seasons. To err is human John Terry missed a penalty that caused us champions league. Nico, you will get better. Don't stress. you are a Africa soldier. This is not your end.
As an African he should be praising him .pls some time u people should reasoning well
KehindeSeun
0
Mikel obi it's okay now, I'm very sure he's learning from his mistakes and growing mature, if we sell Jackson trust me he'll going to bounce back and make the difference
Are you even watching Jackson playing at all ?? what he did yesterday was not necessary at all. at 65 minutes ur team is down to 1 u brought in to help the team not to add to it and he as don that two times this same season u are now supporting such stupid act striker collecting 2 red card in 5 match broooo
KehindeSeun
0
One error and you condemn him like that? Not fair at all. Jackson is getting better every season and I see him as a little Drogba for Chelsea. People make mistakes. He will learn his lesson. come on...
Are you people not thinking before you talk Jackson first season score 15 goals second season he score 13 goals with 19 yellow card and 2 red card and you said his improving How ???
KehindeSeun
1
Nico is a gem to reach this level and produce more than Drogba in both of their individual first seasons. To err is human John Terry missed a penalty that caused us champions league. Nico, you will get better. Don't stress. you are a Africa soldier. This is not your end.
You be Mumu did you want to compare Drogba time and Jackson time together. in Drogba time they play defensive football with jose one goal is a win but now is deferent 2 goals still does not guarantee a win now so who should score most ?? And the deferent between Legend Drogba and Jackson is improvement and consistency which Jackson did not posses
KehindeSeun
0
Mikel or milk you should have called your brother and advised him not on the media like this do you want him to lose his Job remember it's a job here we're talking about
Did you even know where Mikel is when they ask him this question??
luncdimrtz
2
Mikel or milk you should have called your brother and advised him not on the media like this do you want him to lose his Job remember it's a job here we're talking about
Zadaceklrs
3
Nico is a gem to reach this level and produce more than Drogba in both of their individual first seasons. To err is human John Terry missed a penalty that caused us champions league. Nico, you will get better. Don't stress. you are a Africa soldier. This is not your end.
Boyabcemnp
1
let him just go
Emperorqu
0
lazy player
No bro he’s not lazy and you know that, is just that he doesn’t have finishing as a striker
SirOkolugbo1
0
One error and you condemn him like that? Not fair at all. Jackson is getting better every season and I see him as a little Drogba for Chelsea. People make mistakes. He will learn his lesson. come on...
second red card in 5 games bro,and in important matches 🤦🏿
mupacimntz
3
Chelsea fans why yu keep supporting this shit ...Jack he's rude ......sorry don't solve anything ...he must go if he was angry coz delap started e game
yuydiknrst
3
another ...Balloteli and diego costa
McForlemu
3
One error and you condemn him like that? Not fair at all. Jackson is getting better every season and I see him as a little Drogba for Chelsea. People make mistakes. He will learn his lesson. come on...
vudbilrtz
1
make no mistake, he ain't going anywhere