No wonder Nicolas Jackson was so desperate to take that penalty against Everton.
Because if that’s how he ends up in open play, then he needs all the help he can get.
That may be harsh on the Chelsea striker, but a week that started embarrassingly for Jackson plummeted to deeper depths here at Wembley on Saturday after a display of profligacy that largely contributed to his team missing out on a place in the FA Cup final.
Not a few days have passed in which Jackson will reflect with much pride. It shouldn’t, anyway.
His role in Monday’s ridiculous debacle at Stamford Bridge, in which the Ivorian attempted to grab the ball from teammates Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke after Chelsea had been awarded a penalty, created an unnecessary storm on a night when his team had won 6-0.
Nicolas Jackson had an afternoon to forget as Chelsea lost in the FA Cup semi-final to Man City.
The Senegalese international wasted multiple opportunities for the Blues at Wembley Stadium
On Monday night, Jackson argued with his teammates over a penalty decision against Everton.
And now this: a rather intolerable performance in front of goal to end his team’s trophy ambitions.
Jackson suffered one of those days when all you want is for the earth to open up and swallow you.
Although with this evidence the abyss would probably have been lost.
Who can say whether Chelsea would have booked a return to the national stadium to face Manchester United or Coventry in next month’s final if Jackson had converted just one of the three chances his colleagues handed him on a plate?
They would have had a much better chance if he had, of course.
Opportunities when you play against Manchester City come, at best, sparingly. When they show up, you grab them tight, especially when you made your team a laughingstock a few days ago.
Here, with a chance at glory on the line, Jackson squandered. That’s being kind.
There is a lot to admire about his game. The power, the rhythm… it’s a dangerous mix.
John Stones had no answer to a striking run down the left in the first half. He provided a reminder of what Jackson is capable of.
Jackson’s pace and power were a problem for City’s defense throughout Saturday’s clash.
However, his composure in front of goal before the hat-trick left much to be desired.
But forwards score goals. The best are ruthless and cold-blooded. Here, Jackson showed all the composure of a child on Christmas morning.
Ask Chelsea fans: it has become a familiar story of their season.
In fact, Jackson was the butt of jokes on social media after Saturday’s crushing loss.
With the game there to face a City team far from their best level, Jackson was left on his knees.
Chelsea’s hopes of reaching a second national final of the season vanished amid Jackson’s madness.
“He had the game in the palm of his hand and he didn’t deliver,” described Jermaine Jenas.
It was a withering assessment of Jackson’s contribution from the former England international, but not an exaggerated one.
Great players deliver on the big occasion. Where does that leave Jackson?
Behind the scenes, those close to Jackson have been at pains to ignore his role in Monday’s penalty debacle amid feelings that his urgency in ignoring instructions from the team, which has Cole Palmer nominated as the penalty taker First option, it was due to an adrenaline rush. and his willingness to add to his personal tally after scoring earlier that night.
Jackson’s role in the chaotic scenes was described as a reflection of his growing personality as he aims to meet his goal of scoring 20 goals this season.
Jackson argued with Noni Madueke (left) that he should take the penalty against the Toffees.
In the end, starting penalty taker Cole Palmer stepped up and put the ball into the net.
It was also pointed out that forwards should be self-centered and that Jackson is developing that selfish streak.
There is probably an element of truth in those statements. But any goodwill, especially from Chelsea fans, is dwindling.
His coach Mauricio Pochettino did not take kindly to his actions on Monday night. Jackson did nothing here to make it up to his manager.
If Chelsea have their way, they will have an improvement on Jackson in position before the start of next season.
That’s not to say his career with the Blues will necessarily fail if Chelsea get the new number 9 he so desperately craves.
The raw materials are there. Jackson needs to mold himself, and at 22 years old, time is on his side.
Mauricio Pochettino will not have been very impressed with Jackson’s performance
But teams the size of Chelsea cannot afford to make learning on the job their main source of goals. Unfortunately, that’s the position Jackson finds himself in.
There have been times this season where Jackson has made a tangible impact when playing wide.
However, those positive contributions have been too inconsistent, certainly for a team with Chelsea’s ambitions.
But if Chelsea’s American owners want to make good on their promises to return the club to the top of domestic and European football, then Jackson seems unlikely to be the man to see them off there.