Nicolas Jackson's Costly Red Card Paves Way for Liam Delap at Chelsea

Nicolas Jackson's reckless red card against Flamengo has opened the door for Liam Delap to potentially lead Chelsea's attack in upcoming crucial matches.

By Chris Posiano

June 21, 2025 at 5:45 AM

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In a dramatic turn of events during Chelsea's Club World Cup clash against Flamengo, striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off just minutes after coming on as a substitute, leaving his team in disarray and handing Liam Delap a golden opportunity to stake his claim in the starting lineup.

The incident occurred in the 74th minute when Jackson, who had replaced Delap, made a reckless studs-up challenge on Flamengo defender Lucas Ayrton. The referee had no hesitation in brandishing a straight red card, marking Jackson's second dismissal in just four matches. The Senegal international, who also received 18 yellow cards in two years since joining Chelsea in 2023, now faces suspensions in both the Premier League and Club World Cup.

Flamengo capitalized on the numerical advantage, securing a 3-1 victory with goals from Bruno Henrique, Danilo, and Wallace Yan. Chelsea's early lead, courtesy of Pedro Neto, was quickly erased in a disastrous six-minute spell that included Jackson's red card.

Manager Enzo Maresca expressed his frustration, stating, "Six minutes changed the game. We conceded two goals in two minutes, and then the red card shifted the dynamic." He hinted at a potential extended ban for Jackson, given the severity of the foul.

Jackson took to Instagram to apologize, saying, "I want to say sorry to the club, the staff, my teammates, and the fans. I let you down. It wasn't intentional, but I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, grow, and come back stronger."

With Jackson sidelined, Liam Delap is expected to start in Chelsea's next matches, including a crucial Premier League opener against Crystal Palace and a Club World Cup fixture against Tunisian side ES Tunis. Delap, who joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town for £30 million, has already shown promise, setting up a goal for Enzo Fernandez on his debut.

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel didn't mince words in his criticism of Jackson, calling his actions "unbelievable, stupid, stupid, stupid." He emphasized the importance of healthy competition and questioned whether Maresca would continue to trust Jackson over Delap.

As Chelsea navigates this challenging period, all eyes will be on Delap to step up and prove his worth in the absence of the suspended Jackson.