Daniel Sturridge challenges Nicolas Jackson’s intellectual capacity following an offside call.
Former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge expressed concerns about the footballing intelligence of Chelsea’s current forward, Nicolas Jackson, following a disallowed goal during their match against Manchester City. Sturridge’s critique centered on Jackson’s lack of positional awareness, particularly during a key offside incident that nullified his potential equalizer.
The incident occurred late in the first half when Jackson, the 23-year-old Senegalese striker, thought he had leveled the score after capitalizing on a mistake by Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson. Ederson had mishandled a shot from Cole Palmer, and Jackson quickly put the ball into the net. However, the assistant referee raised the flag for offside, a decision confirmed by VAR.
At halftime, Sturridge, now a football pundit, criticized Jackson’s inability to remain onside, stressing that it was a fundamental error for a striker. Sturridge emphasized that it wasn’t the first time Jackson had been caught offside during the game. He highlighted the importance of timing and situational awareness, particularly in high-stakes matches, where opportunities are rare.
Despite Jackson’s strong start in the Premier League, where he scored 14 goals in his debut season, doubts persist regarding his consistency. His recurring offside issues and struggles with composure could jeopardize his position under Chelsea’s new manager, Enzo Maresca. As the match progressed, Jackson missed another crucial chance and was substituted, further raising concerns about his readiness for top-level competition.
