Chelsea: Mauricio Pochettino tells Nicolas Jackson to ignore critics after online abuse
Mauricio Pochettino says Nicolas Jackson needs to avoid paying attention to social media after missing big chances in the FA Cup semi-final.
The 22-year-old striker suffered various forms of abuse, including racism, after the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
He missed two one-on-ones and an excellent headed chance but was Chelsea’s main threat.
When asked about the abuse Jackson has suffered since Saturday, Pochettino said: “I think we all suffer as public people and more in football because people hide behind social media.
“It is not a reference; we have talked about it before, it is not a reference. Of course, we need to be there on social media because it is a good way to communicate with our good fans who want to know about us.
“But after people is hiding behind social media to create [abuse]. But it is important to know that it cannot be a reference to what people actually think of you or things in life.”
He added: “The first season is difficult for all the players. Even more in the position of striker when you need to perform and to score goals.
“Everyone expects that with every single touch, they score a goal. He is our main or only striker we have fit because Nkunku didn’t play for nearly the whole season, Broja also was out and then moved to Fulham to play more.”
Jackson remains the club’s second top scorer with 13 goals in all competitions, but Cole Palmer has 25 goals and could miss the match against Arsenal on Tuesday through illness.
The Blues will try to bring back Palmer, but Pochettino trusts Jackson to step up in north London if he remains absent, adding: “Yes, he is doing fantastic. He is doing an amazing job for the team, running, scoring goals, and giving assists.
“For his first season, as a young guy coming from Spain with little experience there, he is doing fantastic.
“If we compare him with the icons like Drogba here, he will always lose. But if we split the club's history and performance of the team. I think Jackson is doing fantastically, and he will have all my support.
“Even if he doesn’t score, the way he fights for the team and the teammates and sometimes produces chances on his own is impressive. He needs time to improve, and he will definitely be better next season. There is no doubt; he just needs to keep going.”