Daniel Sturridge questions Nicolas Jackson’s ‘IQ’ after the Chelsea striker saw goal ruled out for offside against Man City in Premier League opener

Former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has questioned the footballing IQ of Nicolas Jackson after he saw his strike ruled out for offside.

The 23-year-old thought he had drawn his side level against Manchester City late in the first-half.

The Senegal striker pounced on an error by Ederson as the Brazilian spilled a rather tame Cole Palmer shot straight to the striker for him to slot home. 

But celebrations would be cut short as the flag went up for offside with VAR confirming the decision.

And at half-time Daniel Sturridge questioned the striker’s awareness of the game as he seemingly just wandered into an offside position.

But the forward saw his strike, which would have put Chlesea level at 1-1, chalked for offside 

Former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has questioned his footballing ‘IQ’ over the incident

It wasn’t the only time the Chelsea striker found himself in an offside position and speaking on the broadcast Sturridge said: ‘Small margins. It is. It’s that IQ as well. 

‘Sometimes, you know, knowing that, okay, he’s going to take a shot, I’ve got to time my run to be on side for the rebound if by any chance, the goalkeeper spills it.

‘And as an attacker, as a center forward, you know, look, these opportunities are rare. 

‘Goalkeepers spilling the ball are rare. So when it does happen, you’ve got to be there on side to take those chances, because it is very difficult to get easy chances in the line as well.

‘He’s got to you’ve got to time your run as a center forward, young center forwards out there watching when you’re making those when someone else is taking a shot. 

‘It’s important for you to time your run for the rebound so you can be on side to take a chance like that, which in this game, he may not get a chance as good as that.’

Despite scoring 14 goals in his opening Premier League campaign Jackson still has questions surrounding his finishing.

And mindlessly wandering offside may not serve to answer those questions as he seeks to hold on to his spot in the starting XI.

Enzo Maresca has already made some ruthless decisions as he dropped Raheem Sterling from the starting line-up despite the England striker being a fixture for The Blues last season.

Jackson had another golden chance from close range mid-way through the second half as he latched onto a ball that looped over the Manchester CIty defence.

But he could only direct his stretching volley straight at Ederson who stood strong to parry the ball away.

His performance against Manchester City before being substituted for Marc Guiu was very reminiscent of his performances last season.

Despite scoring 14 goals in his opening Premier League campaign Jackson still has questions surrounding his finishing

Jackson had a second chance in the second half but he spurned that when he volleyed straight at Ederson

The 23-year-old is full of ability between the boxes, and poses a threat with his ability to carry the ball and run in behind.

But it is once again his composure in front of goal that has let him down, from the lack of ‘IQ’ according to Daniel Sturridge to a finish straight at the goalkeeper.

Meanwhile at the other end Erling Haaland opened the scoring as he showed great footwork to skip past a challenge from Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella before a delicate dink over Robert Sanchez.

Mateo Kovacic then added a second as his strike from some 25-yards out should have been saved by Robert Sanchez but he could only push it onto the post and in.