Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson makes feelings clear with two-word message after brutal snub

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has taken aim at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after being omitted from the list for the 2024 Player of the Year.

The scored 17 goals in 44 appearances for the Blues in his debut season at Stamford Bridge. side make a late surge to European qualification as they earned a place in the UEFA Conference League.

However, Jackson was not included in the list for the illustrious African accolade, which was won by Chelsea icon Didier Drogba twice - as well as finishing runner-up and in third place a total of seven times. In a post to Instagram, the Chelsea forward posed the question: "What happened?" as he tagged the CAF's official account in response to reporter Fabrizio Romano sharing the list of the notable absentees.

Jackson was rested for Chelsea's Conference League victory at Panathinaikos but Enzo Maresca has already praised the Senegal international. He said in September: "He was very good. Not only because he scored twice; the way he works off the ball has been fantastic. He and Cole (Palmer), sometimes had to defend three-on-two.

"So I am happy with Nicolas in terms of numbers – goals and assists – but especially happy because the way he has worked has been fantastic."

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Among those also snubbed was Liverpool icon and former Chelsea attacker Mohamed Salah plus Mohammed Kudus, Brahim Diaz and Victor Boniface - who played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten season in the Bundesliga. The award will be presented to the winner on December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco and there will be a new name on the accolade after last year's winner and Chelsea target, Victor Osimhen, was also not named in the final 10.

According to their website, CAF awards cover the period between January 2024 and October 2024. Jackson scored seven goals at the back end of last season and already this term under Enzo Maresca has five goals and three assists in just nine outings, in all competitions.

There are some familiar names in the hunt for the African prize with Amine Gouiri, Edmond Tapsoba, Achraf Hakimi and Ademola Lookman all nominated.