Reports suggest Chelsea are keen to give Nicolas Jackson a real chance to shine in pre-season under incoming manager Xabi Alonso. The Senegal international, who underwent a peripheral loan period at Bayern Munich, is still very well thought of in the corridors of Stamford Bridge.
The 24-year-old returns to west London after Bayern decided not to make his loan move permanent this summer. He still contributed 11 goals and four assists while playing mostly a supporting role to Harry Kane at the Allianz Arena. Club sources say an offer that can’t be resisted can’t be ruled out, but that the intention is to retain and assess for now.
One of Jackson’s most vocal supporters has been pundit Paul Merson, who has urged Chelsea to integrate the forward back into the team rather than cash in this window. Merson’s appeal might resonate with a broader sense that Jackson’s movement has been unlocking the very best from Cole Palmer, who has struggled since the striker’s exit.
Jackson, who joined from Villarreal for £32m in 2023, has netted 30 goals in 81 appearances so far. And he is still on a long contract, so Chelsea can demand a hefty fee. With no European football on offer after the campaign just gone, Alonso will have to quickly establish his attacking pecking order.
Nicolas Jackson Wants First-Choice Assurances
As Chelsea mull their plans, Jackson has reportedly made his own ambitions abundantly clear to the club’s hierarchy. The forward is happy to stay but only if he is seen as a key striker in Alonso’s squad. The Senegalese has had a frustrating campaign, playing second fiddle to Kane at Bayern, and is not keen on another supporting role.
The problem for Jackson is that the competition at Stamford Bridge has rarely looked so crowded ahead of next season. Joao Pedro had a productive season, scoring 20 goals in all competitions. The likes of Liam Delap, Emanuel Emegha and Marc Guiu are also pushing for game time in Alonso’s attack. Chelsea have also been linked with Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen.
A lot will therefore depend on how Alonso views the striker once he officially takes over on 1 July. If the Spaniard views Jackson as a key part of his fluid system, then talks could go smoothly in the long term. For now, both club and player seem happy to use pre-season as the testing ground ahead.