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Chelsea could be all clear to play Nicolas Jackson against Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round, as they look to exploit a lesser-known loophole.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have made a poor start to the 2023-24 season so far, winning just one game in the Premier League against Luton Town, losing three and drawing the other two.
They take on the Seagulls in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, but had seemed hamstrung by the absence of two key stars, with Jackson picking up his fifth yellow of the season and Malo Gusto shown a red last time out.
But it is bad news for Gusto, whose red card will rule him out of contention, after a sending-off in the 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Nicolas Jackson picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Aston Villa on Sunday
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won just one game in the Premier League so far this season
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are flying high at the start of the season, losing just once domestically
Jackson’s availability will be music to Pochettino’s ears, with the Blues already under intense pressure at the start of the season.
Without Jackson, the Blues are without an established focal point through the middle, with Christopher Nkunku out injured.
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Even with the Senegalese striker in the side, Chelsea have been bereft of goals, last scoring in a 2-1 win in August.
Having spent over £1billion the spotlight has been firmly on Stamford Bridge as a result of their under-whelming start to the season, but Pochettino has called for his youthful side to be given time to improve.
‘We were talking, we need to grow up like a team, not only in an individual way.
‘I think players like Nico who are so young and feeling the Premier League and (are) learning, they need time.
‘In this type of game, we are competing and want to win and football is about winning but also players, when they are young, need to learn, and experience and make mistakes.
‘That’s why we feel disappointed as there are too many situations like this and I agree with you too many things like this and in the end we are losing the game and we are in situation we need to change as soon as possible.’
Malo Gusto will be absent after picking up a straight red for a challenge on Lucas Digne on Sunday
