After Chelsea’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle, Steve Nicol criticized the team on ESPN FC, pointing out three players who, according to him, didn’t meet Mauricio Pochettino’s standards. Nicolas Jackson and Lesley Ugochukwu received specific criticism from Nicol for their underwhelming performances in the match. As Chelsea prepares to play against Brighton & Hove Albion, there’s a big problem.
Captain Reece James got a red card in the last game, making the coach, Mauricio Pochettino, really unhappy. This makes it even harder for the team to bounce back after losing to Newcastle. Chelsea wants to do better in the next game and show they can overcome these problems, hoping to make up for the not-so-good game against Newcastle.
Steve Nicol Slams Chelsea Trio: Questioning the Quality of Nicolas Jackson, Conor Gallagher, and Lesley Ugochukwu for the Team
Steve Nicol did not hold back in his critique of Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Conor Gallagher in the aftermath of Chelsea’s defeat to Newcastle. On ESPN FC, Nicol bluntly expressed his dissatisfaction, stating,
“They’ve got players playing that shouldn’t be playing in a team that’s supposed to be in the top four, let me put it that way.”
“You know, Jackson up front isn’t good enough, Gallagher’s not good enough. Ugochukwu today showed that I don’t think he’s good enough.”
The pundit’s assessment raised serious questions about the trio’s suitability for a team with aspirations of securing a top-four position.
Despite criticism, some people think Jackson and Gallagher are okay as squad players at Chelsea. Unlike Nicol said, having them on the team might not be a big problem. Gallagher’s stats, like making 2.8 tackles per game, show he’s good enough to start, even if he didn’t do great in the last match. On the other hand, Jackson may not be the main No. 9, but he’s seen as a promising backup to a more experienced forward.
Lesley Ugochukwu is younger, under 20, and might do better with a loan to improve before playing a big role in Chelsea. Experiencing some inexperience is normal for someone of his age in crucial matches.
