Before their FA Cup third-round match, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino pushed striker Armando Broja to step up for the team in Nicolas Jackson’s absence.
Jackson, who has scored the second-most goals for Chelsea in the Premier League, will be traveling with Senegal for the African Cup of Nations.
Pochettino anticipates a greater role for the Blues striker because Christopher Nkunku is still recovering from an injury and Chelsea is also facing injury concerns.
Before their FA Cup third-round match against second-tier Preston North End, Pochettino told reporters, as quoted by Reuters, “Armando has the possibility to be more involved as he is one of our main strikers.”
“Armando, you might be able to play for him… Despite not starting tomorrow because of problems he had over the week, Christoph (Nkunku) will still be a member of the squad. We must exercise caution around him.”
Pochettino says Chelsea needs the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea appears to be able to secure European football for the upcoming season by competing in the Carabao and FA Cups, as they are currently ranked 10th in the Premier League points standings.
The Blues will play Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Pochettino has pushed his team to go for a longer run in the competitions and to utilize both of them.
“We should aim to advance in two competitions: the FA Cup and the Carabao (League) Cup. However, we must run methodically. Tomorrow is the first stage,” stated Pochettino.
Since we don’t participate in the European competitions, it is obviously a very significant competition for us. We are at a position in the Premier League where we must develop and get better if we wish to participate in the competition.”
“The FA Cup and Carabao Cup will allow us to qualify for the European league the following season. It’s quite significant because we have participated in three competitions since the beginning. We hope to participate in all three events.
