Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has come under heavy criticism after being sent off during their FIFA Club World Cup match against Flamengo on Friday, 20th June, 2025.
Jackson appeared to lunge into a tackle with his studs up, making dangerous contact with Flamengo’s Ayrton Lucas. The challenge was deemed reckless, resulting in a straight red card.
Since the incident, the Senegalese striker has issued an apology to the club, staff, teammates, and fans, expressing regret for his actions.
“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,” Jackson said.
While many may view this as just another footballing incident, it reveals something deeper as I examine it through a psychological lens.
In sports psychology, the Cognitive Appraisal Theory offers a useful framework for understanding Jackson’s actions. This theory explains how individuals assess and respond to stressful or emotionally charged situations. This happens through a cognitive evaluation of the situation’s significance and their ability to cope with it, influencing their emotional response and behaviour.
Jackson’s recent frustrations may stem from growing tension at the club, particularly due to the arrival of Liam Delap—his direct competition for the striker position. In the match against Flamengo, Jackson came off the bench to replace Delap, with just 26 minutes plus stoppage time left to play.
In a highly competitive environment where every player craves minutes on the pitch, such a situation is unlikely to sit well—especially for a player under pressure.
Raising the stakes further is former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi’s ongoing public criticism of Jackson and his vocal support for the club to sign a “better” striker. These public statements may contribute to Jackson feeling increasingly sidelined or scrutinised.
According to the theory, Jackson’s emotional outburst—manifested in frustration and anger leading to the red card—may be the result of his internal appraisal of Delap’s arrival. Does Jackson view it as a threat to his position and future at the club? If he does, then this could trigger negative emotions, which in turn affect decision-making on the field.
This interpretation gains more weight considering this was Jackson’s second red card in just 40 days, following his dismissal against Newcastle on May 11. Though Delap wasn’t yet a Chelsea player at that time, the conversation around bringing in a new striker had already been circulating.
The reckless challenge on Ayrton Lucas may not have been purely tactical—it may have been a moment of impulsivity driven by suppressed frustration. In such moments, emotional responses can override rational thinking.
Chelsea, having invested over a billion pounds in transfers under the current regime, are aiming to compete for major trophies. In such a high-pressure environment, only consistent performance will keep a player in the coach’s plans. Jackson will undoubtedly feel the pressure to step up his game, but playing with emotional baggage could affect his decision making on the pitch.
Jackson may need to fine-tune his mental toughness with the help of a psychologist to perform at his best under pressure. The mental game is just as important as the physical one; Jackson might need to work on his mental resilience to bounce back from setbacks.
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Story by: Simon Owusu Prempeh | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by: Gabriel Tecco Mensah
