Jamie Redknapp feels Nicolas Jackson should have taken the penalty for Chelsea in Sunday’s defeat to West Ham – not Enzo Fernandez.
The 50-year-old made the comments when speaking on Sky Sports after the game.
What’s the story?
Well, the Argentina international squandered the chance to put Chelsea 2-1 up in the 43rd minute when he saw his effort from 12 yards saved by Alphonse Areola.
West Ham then went on to score twice in the second half to record a 3-1 win.
Interestingly, Redknapp thinks Jackson should have taken the spot-kick rather than Fernandez.
The son of Harry Redknapp said: “When Enzo Fernandez stepped up and took the penalty, I’d like to see Nicolas Jackson say, ‘I’ll take that, I’m a centre-forward, I’ll put the ball in the back of the net, because if Jackson gets a goal, everything might happen for him.
“There were some positive things from him today, I liked what I saw but you get judged on your goals.”
Nicolas Jackson was right to let Enzo Fernandez take Chelsea penalty
We can understand what Redknapp means by wanting to see Jackson take control and be authoritative as a striker – he has all the physical attributes, and once it clicks mentally, Chelsea should have a lethal frontman.
However, details such as set-piece takers are often decided by the manager or captain long before kick-off.
Anybody who does something like Redknapp wanted to see from Jackson therefore risks angering their boss, while they also run the risk of starting an argument with a fellow teammate before thousands of supporters.
Of course, Jackson – who Chelsea signed from Villarreal for £32m – does need to show a bit more arrogance in his role as the No.9 at Stamford Bridge, but there are better ways to do that than Redknapp’s suggestion.
