Filipe Luis insists Nicolas Jackson can become one of the best strikers in the world after his red card in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Flamengo at the Club World Cup on Friday.
Enzo Maresca’s side took an early lead through Pedro Neto but collapsed in the second half as Jackson was sent off, while Flamengo scored three without reply.
Jackson came on as a substitute for Liam Delap in the second half but just four minutes later he was dismissed for a dangerous challenge on Ayrton Lucas.
The Senegal international has faced criticised for his lack of consistency in front of goal during his time at Chelsea but Flamengo head coach Filipe Luis, who spent one season at Stamford Bridge as a player, is adamant that the striker will improve.
When asked about Jackson’s red card, Filipe Luis said: ‘First of all, I love Chelsea.
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‘I spent one really happy season there, we won the Premier League and the League Cup and I made special friends and played with the best players in the world for a season, and I was really happy there.
‘So I know how the club is special and how the club needs to win titles because of the pressure inside the club, it happens.
‘But he [Jackson] is so good, he’s young, he has all the potential and quality the club needs.
Nicolas Jackson apologises for red card
‘I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down.
‘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. I’ll reflect, I’ll grow, and I’ll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.’
‘For sure, he will surpass this little mistake. I think it was clear, I just saw it in front of me, I haven’t seen it on the TV yet, but for me it was a red.
‘But it is just a small detail for a player who is a big player, he can be one of the biggest strikers in the world.’
Filipe Luis also claimed that Chelsea have been the best tactical team in Europe since Maresca took over from Mauricio Pochettino last year.
‘I told Maresca, [I had] four days without sleeping, or sleeping really bad, because when I watch his team playing it’s, for me, the most perfect tactical playing in Europe,’ the former Chelsea defender said.
‘He has all his solutions covered for the players and the players understood really well his model of play.
‘It’s so difficult to play against him, so that makes our win huge, so I’m really happy.’
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