Mauricio Pochettino has urged Chelsea supporters to be patient with Nicolas Jackson after the struggling striker was barracked during the defeat by Brentford on Saturday.
The Senegal international, who has scored only three goals this season after his £32 million summer move from Villarreal, reacted angrily to a comment from a fan who told him to “wake up” and Pochettino said that it was important for the Stamford Bridge crowd not to get on the players’ backs.
“You cannot abuse, even if you say ‘wake up’, because it is not right,” Pochettino said. “Of course it is not the worst thing that has happened in football, but we are very sensitive in this situation where a player is suffering.
A Chelsea fan shouted “wake up” to Jackson in Chelsea’s defeat to Brentford, prompting Pochettino to confront him
JAVIER GARCIA/REX FEATURES
“For different reasons he is suffering; he has suffered an injury. You are at Chelsea and you are 21 and you want to perform and score goals and for the team to win.
“It was in the 43rd minute. I said after the game it was not a big problem, the fan is right to say, ‘OK, come on, wake up,’ but it was the moment, not the situation.
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“Nico needs support. I understand the fans. They are entitled to say what they want, but it was a really quiet moment and it was out of context. At this moment you are fragile, you need help, you need confidence and you need trust and this can change your focus.”
Pochettino also backed the goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, whose form has been patchy since his £25 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion, which paved the way for Kepa Arrizabalaga to join Real Madrid on loan.
The Spaniard’s poor kick led to Declan Rice scoring for Arsenal in the recent 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge and he was caught upfield after a stoppage-time corner that allowed Brentford to break away and score their second goal on Saturday.
“I am really happy with his attitude and commitment,” Pochettino said of Sánchez. “He is going to be great for the club. He only arrived at the last moment; the other ’keeper went to Madrid; he played in two or three training sessions and then [went] straight into the season.
“We need to give him time to adapt. It is not the same playing for another team as it is at Chelsea, where there is pressure to win.”
Chelsea host Blackburn Rovers in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. Pochettino confirmed that his captain, Reece James, will make his first start since August, having recovered from a hamstring injury.
