Nicolas Jackson has endured a difficult few years and now looks set to return to Chelsea after a season-long loan at Bayern Munich, and Cole Palmer will be absolutely delighted.
It was reported earlier this season that Jackson would need to make a total of 40 45-minute appearances for Bayern Munich to strike a permanent clause. He’s played 22 times, only eight over 45 minutes.
Bayern spent an initial £14m to sign Jackson on loan, late in the summer window. A permanent clause was included worth £56m, but a few days after signing, noises out of Bayern downplayed a permanent deal.
Nicolas Jackson could be an option for Chelsea again next season! 👀
Nicolas Jackson, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Emanuel Emegha
Photo by S. Mellar/FC Bayern/Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/George Wood/Mikolaj Barbanell/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Now, The Times claims Jackson won’t be staying at Bayern, even if the German champions fancy signing or renegotiating a deal for Jackson below his permanent clause. Jackson will return to Stamford Bridge.
Why Cole Palmer will be delighted if Nicolas Jackson returns
This season, Palmer has sparkled when he’s played, but it has been up and down in terms of his fitness. Even the England star admits he isn’t 100% and yet, he’s had a hand in 12 goals in 18 Chelsea outings.
Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.
Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images
However, five of those are penalties and just one assist has come in the Premier League. It is a stark difference in stats compared to his first season at Chelsea, under Mauricio Pochettino alongside Jackson.
Palmer and Jackson combined for 10 goals during 2023-24, the best duo in the Premier League. Palmer got 15 assists in all competitions that season, but this season, he’s managed just three in league and cup.
Nicolas Jackson is the key to unlocking Cole Palmer 🔑
Are you taking Jackson back?
Paul Merson thinks Joao Pedro is getting in Palmer’s way
An Arsenal icon, but a Chelsea fan, Merson is attentive to Chelsea’s form and he believes that while Joao Pedro has sparkled since his £60m move from Brighton, he is a completely different striker to Jackson.
While Jackson is direct and runs in behind defenders, Pedro likes to come deep and join in with creating chances as well as scoring. Pedro drops into Palmer’s space and Merson thinks it’s affecting Palmer.
“I like Palmer, but Palmer misses Jackson. Jackson made Palmer, and Palmer made Jackson. You watch Palmer now, Joao Pedro wants to come this way (dropping short), and there’s no movement,” he said.
The striker situation is an interesting one at Chelsea. With the signing of Emmanuel Emegha, and both David Datro Fofana and Jackson due to return this summer, Rosenior will have six strikers to pick from.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox