‘I’m sorry Nic Jackson, I am for real.’
OK, so we paraphrased Outkast. However, the sentiment rings true. Nicolas Jackson was, at one stage, the butt of jokes. The Senegal international moved to Chelsea in 2023 and enjoyed a so-so debut campaign. Indeed, he scored 12 goals and provided five assists. Consistency, though, wasn’t his forte.
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The following year, he bagged 10 goals and laid on five assists. It wasn’t a great haul, yet Jackson was vital as Chelsea won the UEFA Conference League. Additionally, few expected the 24-year-old to depart for pastures new. A falling out with then-Blues boss Enzo Maresca spelt the beginning of the temporary end for the forward in west London.
Jackson will return to Chelsea
As such, Jackson secured a loan switch to Bayern Munich last September. It was a relatively left-field move. Jackson was never going to be first choice for the Bundesliga giants. Indeed, he had a certain Harry Kane ahead of him in the pecking order. When fit, Kane plays; no ifs, no buts.
Jackson’s move to Bayern will be made permanent if he plays 40 games. The club have already confirmed that won’t happen. “There will definitely not be a permanent contract. That only happens if he plays 40 games from the start, it will never happen,” honorary club president Uli Hoeness said in September.
Even so, head coach Vincent Kompany has been complimentary of Jackson during his time in Germany. “I have a very positive impression of Nicolas,” Kompany said in December. “He’s helped us a lot – his goals-per-minute ratio is good. Of course, with Harry Kane up front, you have a bit of competition, and that’s part of the game.”
Kane and Diaz form limited minutes
Six goal contributions – five goals and one assist – across 638 minutes of league and European action isn’t to be scoffed at. The issue, as Kompany alluded to, is that he has Kane ahead of him in the pecking order. Additionally, Bayern are an elite team with world class talent across every position.
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Jackson is the modern-day forward in that he likes to drift across the frontline. Routinely moving to the left, however, clogs up space down the flank, notably limiting summer signing Luis Diaz. The Colombian has been a revelation since his move to Bayern. He’s one of only two players to hit double figures for both goals (13) and assists (10) in the Bundesliga this season.
This inclination to pull to the left minimises Diaz’s influence. The former Liverpool was nowhere near as effective in league games Jackson has featured in from the outset. It’s another reason why Jackson has been restricted to just five Bundesliga starts this season.
And combined with the emergence of Lennart Karl, the return of Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry’s new contract, Jackson’s playing time has been limited further. As such, Jackson will return to Chelsea in the summer, and potentially have a second chance to consolidate a role for the Blues. It’s a return that fans will welcome with open arms.
Competition for Delap and Pedro?
Striker has been a problematic position for the Blues this season. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro both signed from Ipswich and Brighton, respectively, last summer. Their signings contributed towards Jackson’s departure for Bayern. However, the former has struggled in his opening season at Stamford Bridge. Injuries haven’t helped Delap, even then; he’s managed just three goals across 30 competitive appearances.
To some, Pedro is better suited as a second striker. Even so, Jackson’s impending return presents Liam Rosenior with a selection headache.
Jackson fell out with Maresca, but the appointment of Rosenior gives the AFCON winner a reprieve at Stamford Bridge. And if we go on the league stats of Delap, Pedro and Jackson this season using the Comparison Matrix, then the latter warrants another opportunity.
Jackson outperforming current Chelsea pair
Admittedly, Jackson currently plays for a team that dominates their league, yet even so; he’s top for touches in the opposition box (7.7), shots (2.7), shot accuracy (61.54%), goals (0.7) and chances created per 90 (2.3) of the three forwards. He’s well versed in the demands that come with playing for Chelsea in a 4-2-3-1 setup. The inclination to drift to the left will make up for the club’s shortcomings down this flank. It’s fair to say that Alejandro Garnacho is not of the same level as Diaz.
Chelsea fans should bare witness to an intriguing striker battle next season. Emmanuel Emegha will arrive in the summer, and he’s another Rosenior knows from their time at Strasbourg together, meaning Chelsea will, in theory, have four forwards competing for one spot.
Combined with links with the likes of Julian Alvarez, Igor Thiago and Emegha’s Strasbourg teammate, Joaquin Panichelli, it could be a summer of change on the Blues frontline. However, it’s a familiar face that may be the best option for Chelsea. Nothing beats the classics, after all.
