Last updated on September 4, 2025
Join our WhatsApp community and be part of the conversation!
Jackson gets the fresh start he wanted.
Image credit: Fabrizio Romano
At first, Chelsea were ready to pull the plug on Nicolás Jackson’s loan move to Bayern Munich.
An injury to Liam Delap left the Blues short of strikers, and the club quickly called Jackson back to London.
But just days later, the deal was back on — and Jackson was heading to Germany after all.
So why did Chelsea change their mind? Let’s consider four possible reasons.
💥 Love the Premier League? Stay Ahead of the Game – Join the Ultimate EPL Fan Newsletter!
Table of Contents
1. Jackson’s determination
Jackson himself played a huge role.
He had already travelled to Munich and was ready for his medical when Chelsea asked him to return.
The striker, with his agent’s backing, made it clear he wanted the move and wasn’t keen on staying if the deal collapsed.
Chelsea knew forcing him back risked having an unhappy player on their hands.
2. A financial win
Bayern’s revised offer was simply too good to turn down.
Chelsea will pocket a €16.5m loan fee now, with Bayern obliged to buy Jackson permanently for €65m.
In total, that’s over €80m — more than double what Chelsea paid for him last summer.
3. Looking at the bigger picture
Yes, losing Jackson leaves the squad light in attack, especially with Delap injured and Nkunku gone already.
But Chelsea decided the long-term benefits outweighed the short-term risk.
They still have JoĂŁo Pedro as a striker option and can reinvest the funds to strengthen elsewhere.
4. Keeping harmony in the squad
An unsettled player can quickly disrupt the dressing room.
By allowing Jackson to move, Chelsea avoided potential friction and showed they are willing to respect players’ wishes when it makes sense for both sides.
In the end
Chelsea’s U-turn wasn’t just about one injury or one transfer.
It was about balancing the club’s finances, respecting the player’s desire, and planning for the future.
Jackson gets the fresh start he wanted, Bayern get their striker, and Chelsea walk away with a healthy profit.
What This Means for Chelsea’s Striker Options Now
Chelsea have lost two senior forwards in one window — Christopher Nkunku (sold to AC Milan) and Nicolás Jackson (loaned to Bayern).
To make matters worse, new signing Liam Delap is injured, sidelined for at least six to eight weeks with a hamstring problem.
That leaves Chelsea light up front as the season gets underway.
The immediate picture
JoĂŁo Pedro is now the only fully fit recognised striker.
The pressure on him will be enormous, especially with Chelsea juggling the Premier League, domestic cups, and Europe.
Alejandro Garnacho, naturally a winger, may need to fill in centrally at times.
His pace and direct play could be useful, but he is not a traditional centre-forward.
Facundo Buonanotte, who recently joined Chelsea on loan, is more of an attacking midfielder, but in an emergency, he could provide cover in advanced roles.
The academy lifeline — Tyrique George
One twist is that Chelsea still have Tyrique George.
The 19-year-old academy winger was on the verge of joining Fulham for ÂŁ22 million, but the deal collapsed on deadline day.
George remains at Stamford Bridge and could now see first-team opportunities, especially during this striker shortage.
While not a traditional centre-forward, his energy and creativity make him a useful option if Maresca turns to youth, which of course, he did in the Fulham match.
The short-term challenge
For at least the next month or two, Chelsea will have to rely heavily on JoĂŁo Pedro while patching things together with Garnacho or other versatile attackers.
Enzo Maresca may even be forced to tweak his system, playing with a “false nine” when Pedro needs rest.
The long-term gamble
Once Delap returns from injury, Chelsea will regain a natural centre-forward option.
The club clearly sees him as a big part of their future.
The financial windfall from Jackson’s deal means Chelsea could revisit the striker market in January, should the current setup struggle.
Young attackers in the academy could also get a chance, though relying on them in high-stakes matches would be a risk.
In plain terms
Chelsea are taking a gamble. They sold Nkunku, loaned out Jackson, and now face Delap’s injury.
