Chelsea face a midweek trip to Brighton this evening as they look to secure European football for next year, and it’s live on talkSPORT 2.
The Blues are in the hunt for the Europa Conference League spot this season but face a three-way battle with Newcastle and Manchester United.
Mauricio Pochettino‘s side are now in a good position to secure some form of European football despite their indifferent start to life under the Argentine.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls could actually help decide who finishes in the European spots, given they play Chelsea and Manchester United.
They are heading into this one off the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Newcastle, and Roberto De Zerbi will want his side to end a disappointing campaign strongly.
Given this is Nicolas Jackson‘s first season in the Premier League, he’s actually returned a good number of goals.
The young Senegalese forward has missed plenty of big chances this year and is still raw.
But he’s the only first-team striker at the club, and after a poor start, he’s starting to look like an accomplished forward.
Jackson scored just two goals in his first nine games, while he picked up five yellow cards in that time for dissent.
He scored a hat-trick against nine-man Tottenham, but then scored just two more in the next 13 league games.
However, just as the season has been approaching its conclusion, Jackson is starting to show signs he’s becoming more consistent in front of goal.
He has seven goals in his last 12 matches and has scored in three consecutive games for the first time.
Certainly, there are some real positive signs there.
Brighton have been decimated by injuries all season, and they are set to be without plenty of important players.
Solly March, Pervis Estupinan, Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson have no chance of playing in either of their remaining games.
Joao Pedro missed the draw with Newcastle due to an ankle injury and is doubtful for this one.
James Milner has been out for a while with a hamstring problem and is unlikely to be risked, while Jack Hinshlewood is also injured.
Jan Paul van Hecke is doubtful, while Joel Veltman suffered a knock at the weekend.
In contrast, Chelsea’s injury worries are easing.
Reece James returned to action in the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest and set up Jackson’s winner, but it’s unlikely he’ll start.
But the Blues will be without Wesley Fofana, Robert Sanchez, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez.
Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka have returned to full training, so could be involved.
Jamie Redknapp believes that Chelsea must keep Pochettino as manager.
There has been a lot of talk that the Blues are prepared to part ways with the former Tottenham boss, but Redknapp thinks he should stay.
He said: “I genuinely think there has been dialogue that’s been very positive for Mauricio, and next year he will be the manager, by the looks of it.
“I think it would be crazy not to do that. I think you’ve got a lot of young players there that need a little bit of guidance and a bit of time, and I certainly think he’s the right man.
“I just don’t think it’s the answer to just go and change and chop and get another manager. If things don’t start well next season, obviously, you maybe start to look at it, but you can’t give a manager a year, managers need time.
“Look at what Arteta has had to do. Took two or three years before he established himself as the dominant figure in that dressing room. Now look, and he had a few struggles, power struggles, with players.
“He won those struggles, and now he runs that club and runs that dressing room. Mauricio might have to have that as well, and it will take time.”
This Premier League game is set to take place on Wednesday, May 15.
Kick-off at the Amex is scheduled for 7:45pm.
talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage from the south coast with Alex Crook and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto providing commentary.
talkSPORT.com will also have all of the reaction.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
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