The return of Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea is starting to gather pace with Bayern Munich understood to have decided against signing the African Cup of Nations winner permanently.
After two seasons at Chelsea, Jackson was still earning plenty of criticism despite scoring at a rate of almost a goal every two games. Last summer, Chelsea bought two strikers; Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
It saw Jackson opt to leave on loan, with Bayern Munich conjuring up a late loan for the striker. It saw Vincent Kompany’s side splash a little over £14m on a loan, and a further £56m to sign him permanently.
Admit it, you miss Nicolas Jackson 😢
Liam Delap has been a huge disappointment!
Liam Delap's and Nicolas Jackson's stats
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images/Kevin Voigt
It is believed that Jackson would have to make 40 or more appearances for Bayern this season to win a permanent deal, and would have to play 45 minutes in each of those. He’s only managed it eight times.
Nicolas Jackson set to return to Chelsea instead of Bayern switch
According to numerous reports this week, including one from The Times, Jackson will not be signing permanently at Bayern. Hardly a surprise given he has only managed to score five goals in 22 matches.
A return to Chelsea is on the cards, then. Indeed, Liam Rosenior may actually want to take a look at the former Villarreal star rather than immediately sell. Jackson’s comments suggest he could be open to it.
VfB Stuttgart v FC Bayern München - Bundesliga
Photo by F. Noever/FC Bayern via Getty Images
Speaking after joining Bayern, Jackson hinted the problem he had at Chelsea was Enzo Maresca. Well, Maresca is no longer the manager and the Times’ report states Jackson is open to a return to Chelsea.
He said, as per The Express: “Football is full of cycles. Sometimes things don’t go as they should, and that’s part of the game. I respect coach Maresca. “I learned a lot from him. He has his own ideas and style.
“I just needed something different at this stage of my career. I have no regrets, just gratitude for my time at Chelsea,” Jackson continued. The striker boasts a contract at Chelsea that will return until June 2033.
The striker situation at Chelsea and why Jackson may return
As things stand, Chelsea boast three options up top. Joao Pedro is showing signs he can become the next high-profile Chelsea striker, following in the footsteps of Didier Drogba, Diego Costa and other forwards.
Brentford are backing Igor Thiago to become the best striker in the world one day 😳
He's been linked with a move to Chelsea 🔵 ⚪️
Igor Thiago's league 2025/26 stats
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
But Delap has struggled. While he got three assists against former side Hull last Friday, the former Man City man has not proved his worth and it would not come as a surprise if he is allowed to leave soon.
Marc Guiu left for Sunderland last summer only to be instantly recalled after Delap’s hamstring injury. He will surely be allowed to go on loan again, especially with Emmanuel Emegha set to join from Strasbourg.
There is a scenario that sees Jackson return to form a three-man striker team at Chelsea alongside Pedro and Emegha, with Delap’s future uncertain and Guiu more than likely to be allowed to leave on loan.
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