Various sources back Enzo Maresca to take major risk with key player against Brentford | OneFootball

We wrote yesterday that Nicolas Jackson had to be at least a doubt for today’s game against Brentford because of the fact he started and played the majority of Thursday’s game against Tottenham after two months out.

Not only did he play, he covered huge distances and put in a lot of sprints. Now, just 72 hours later, are we really expecting him to line up from the start again?

Given the care that Enzo Maresca and his team are giving to keeping people like Reece James fit and fresh (the full back was rested on Thursday to keep him fresh for today), it would seem mad for them to take such risks with Jackson.

The Senegal star doesn’t have the injury history of the likes of James or Romeo Lavia, but that’s no reason to take risks with him. Playing him when he’s fatigued and at risk of hurting himself is exactly how you put him at risk of getting a bad injury history.

What Enzo Maresca wants to avoid in second half of Chelsea – Brentford

Nicolas Jackson battle for possession against Tottenham. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The Guardian back Jackson to be risked in the starting XI, as do various other publications covering the game.

Our writer Simon Phillips notes that Bobby Vincent of Football.London thinks he will play from the start, and Phillips agrees with him on that front.

Weighing it up, even thought it will be tight, we’re in agreement. Maresca really has no alternative, and if Jackson says he’s ready to go (and we’re sure he will), the coach will pick him.

The problem comes in the second half if we’re not leading and the coach has to decide between the medical advice to take him off and the desire to keep him on to try and score.

Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.