COLE PALMER lost his rag with Nicolas Jackson in the final stages of Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Fluminense, fly-kicking the post in fury.
Enzo Maresca’s side booked their place in the inaugural Club World Cup final, as new £60million signing Joao Pedro struck twice.
Chelsea had a golden chance to put the game against the Brazilian side to bed in the 80th minute, after substitute Jackson broke free inside the penalty area.
Jackson drew in a defender to leave Palmer free for an easy tap-in between the spot and six-yard box.
But the under-fire Senegalese forward chose to shoot to Palmer’s shock, slamming his effort wide and into the side netting.
The England star, 23, immediately threw his hands up in frustration, after being denied a second Club World Cup goal, before stamping his foot against the post.
An irate Palmer then appeared to shout angrily at his team-mate, who held his hand out in apology as he walked sheepishly back on to the pitch.
But Chelsea are one win away – against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain – from becoming two-time Club World Cup champions.
Jackson, who was a regular fixture in Maresca’s side last season, suddenly finds his starting spot under threat.
Pedro, who didn’t celebrate against his former team, has hit the ground running just days after his pricey switch from Brighton.
While fellow summer signing Liam Delap, who joined for £30million from Ipswich, adds to the fierce competition at No9.
Jackson was solid last season, bagging ten Premier League goals and 13 in total.
But many fans have been growing frustrated by his lack of discipline at key moments in games, with Jackson sent off twice in the last three months.
The 24-year-old striker was shown red for a horror tackle after just four minutes on the pitch against Flamengo in the Club World Cup group stage last month.
He was also sent marching in Chelsea‘s crunch clash against Newcastle after a moment of madness, with the Blues going on to lose 2-0 in the race for Champions League qualification at the time.
AC Milan have reportedly asked about Jackson’s availability this summer after the arrivals of Pedro and Delap to Maresca’s squad.
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