File photo dated 28-05-2025 of Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson. Newcastle and Aston Villa remain in the race to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea despite a loan bid having been received for the striker from Bayern Munich, the PA news agency understands. Issue date: Tuesday 26th August, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Chelsea. Photo credit should read Rafal Oleksiewicz/PA Wire.
Chelsea want Jackson back at Stamford Bridge (Photo: PA)
Only Chelsea could hijack a deal for a player they already own.
It’s impossible to imagine this squad being short in any position, but the sale of Christopher Nkunku and loaning of Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich left Chelsea with two No 9s. One of them (Liam Delap) will be out injured for the next two months.
Cancelling Jackson’s loan now leaves them with a very difficult balance. Either Chelsea are unable to persuade Jackson to return and must hope that Joao Pedro is able to play every game in every competition, or they have Jackson back but he is utterly peeved at such shoddy treatment.
I don’t really understand why they didn’t just keep all three in the first place, given that Delap is still pretty raw and Pedro can play off the striker.