Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea's Senegal international striker, found himself at the center of controversy after receiving his second red card in four matches during Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to Flamengo in the Club World Cup. The incident occurred on Jackson's 24th birthday, merely four minutes after he replaced Liam Delap, his new rival in the striker department, on the field. The late, studs-up challenge on Flamengo defender Lucas Ayrton came at the end of a disastrous six-minute collapse for Chelsea, which saw Bruno Henrique and Danilo score, canceling out Pedro Neto's early strike. Wallace Yan later sealed Flamengo's victory.

This dismissal means Jackson is now suspended in two major competitions: the Premier League and the Club World Cup. Consequently, Liam Delap is expected to start Chelsea's next crucial match against Tunisian side ES Tunis and the opening Premier League game at home to Crystal Palace. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca anticipates a longer ban for Jackson due to the reckless nature of the foul, potentially ruling him out of the competition entirely. Maresca acknowledged Jackson's apology, both on Instagram and in person to his teammates, stating that the red card does not affect Jackson's future with the club, but conceded that the six-minute period, including the red card, dramatically changed the game's dynamic.

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel strongly criticized Jackson's actions, calling it an "unbelievable, stupid, stupid stupid mistake." Mikel, speaking on Dazn, emphasized the importance of a player's responsibility, especially when the team is trailing and needs support. He further suggested that if Jackson's frustration stems from the competition with Delap, he must learn to embrace it, stressing that healthy competition is vital for a massive club like Chelsea. Mikel implied that Maresca might need to consider whether he still trusts Jackson or if it's time for Delap to consistently start.

Conversely, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella defended his teammate, explaining that Jackson was very sad and that the foul was unintentional, born from an attempt to win the ball. Cucurella highlighted Jackson's youth and quality but admitted he needs to improve in such situations, noting that Jackson has apologized and is a very important player for the team.

The arrival of Liam Delap, for whom Chelsea agreed a £30m fee with Ipswich, intensifies the competition in Chelsea's attacking lineup. Delap, who scored 12 goals in 37 games for Ipswich Town and 24 times for Maresca's Manchester City Under-23 team, has quickly made an impact, assisting Enzo Fernandez on his debut. While Jackson also provided an assist in the opening Club World Cup match against Los Angeles FC, Delap earned his first start against Flamengo, albeit a quiet one where he received a yellow card. With Marc Guiu also an option, Maresca is keen to observe how Jackson reacts to this heightened competition among the number nine options, underscoring the team's need for robust forward support.