ENZO Maresca insisted Nicolas Jackson’s red card in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Flamengo at the Club World Cup wouldn’t be a factor in deciding his Blues future.
Jackson was sent off in the 68th minute four minutes after coming on for a studs-up challenge on Ayrton Lucas that caught him on the shin.
It was a disastrous six-minute spell for Chelsea after they conceded two goals in four minutes after Pedro Neto had them 1-0 ahead at half-time.
The Brazilian side added a late third and Chelsea need a win over African club ES Tunis on Tuesday to qualify for the last sixteen.
Jackson will be suspended for that game and he is also banned for the first Premier League game of next season after his straight red card for elbowing Newcastle United defender Sven Botman.
Jackson’s dismissal gives Liam Delap his chance after the £30million summer signing from Ipswich Town started against Flamengo.
“No, the red card has nothing to do with Nico’s future,” Maresca said when asked about it afterwards.
“He had the first one against Newcastle when Liam was not even here and another one.
“I’m not sure that it’s 100 per cent a red card but the referee decided for that, and Nico knows very well that in both situations [it] was not something good for the team.”
Jackson, who turned 24 on the day of the game, posted an apology message on Instagram.
It read: “Another red card…and honestly, I’m so angry at myself.
“I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation.
“I still don’t fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn’t intentional.
“Just a football moment that went the wrong way. No excuses. I take full responsibility.”
Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella said: “He’s very sad. He tried to win the ball, had the bad luck that he kicked his leg and that’s it.
“He’s a young player with a lot of quality but maybe needs to improve a little bit in these things. He has to learn.
“After the manager spoke, he said sorry, he didn’t do it on purpose. He’s a very important player for us, we miss him the next game but this is football.”
