Nicolas Jackson insists he has no regrets over his Chelsea career after completing a last-minute switch to Bayern Munich.
The Senegalese striker left Stamford Bridge on Deadline Day, joining the German champions on loan with a conditional obligation to buy. Despite interest from other clubs, Bayern made their move late in the window — and Jackson admits he was always confident the deal would be done.
Speaking to Tuttosport, the 23-year-old said leaving Chelsea stirred “very strong emotions” but stressed that his decision was about “a new cycle” rather than fallout with manager Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea attempted to stall the deal after new signing Liam Delap suffered a hamstring injury just 48 hours before the deadline, but Bayern pushed through and finalised the transfer at the eleventh hour.
Jackson on Leaving Chelsea
“At the same time, I was a little sad to leave Chelsea, my teammates, and the fans. I experienced so many strong emotions there: we won the Conference League and the Club World Cup. Football is full of cycles. Sometimes things don’t go as they should, and that’s part of the game. I have no regrets, just gratitude for my time at Chelsea.” — Nicolas Jackson, via Tuttosport
Jackson’s words underline a player leaving on respectful terms, despite struggling to fully win over supporters during his two-year stay.
Verdict on Enzo Maresca
Far from criticising his coach, Jackson highlighted the impact of working under Chelsea’s new boss:
“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.” — Nicolas Jackson
The striker stressed that his departure was about personal growth, not dissatisfaction with Maresca or the club.
Jackson’s Chelsea Record
| Stat (2024/25) | Nicolas Jackson |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 37 |
| Goals | 13 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Yellow/Red Cards | — |
source: sofascore – 6 September 2025
Jackson’s tally of 13 goals and 6 assists across all competitions showed flashes of promise, but inconsistency in front of goal and disciplinary lapses kept him from becoming a fan favourite.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William:
Chelsea fans will feel mixed emotions. Jackson delivered important goals but never looked like the long-term answer up front. His finishing was streaky, and with Joao Pedro and Delap arriving, his minutes were under threat.
For Bayern, the move carries less risk. Surrounded by world-class service, Jackson has the raw attributes — pace, movement, strength — to thrive in Germany. The question is whether he can sharpen his decision-making and finishing at the highest level.
Key Insights
- Jackson joined Bayern Munich on Deadline Day loan with buy clause.
- Chelsea nearly pulled out after Delap injury, but deal pushed through.
- The striker said leaving brought “very strong emotions.”
- Delivered 13 goals + 6 assists in 37 games last season.
- Praised Maresca, saying he “learned a lot” from the coach.
What’s Next
Jackson is set to make his Bayern debut against Hamburger SV after the international break. If not, he could feature in the Champions League — with the tantalising prospect of facing Chelsea.
For Maresca, the challenge is replacing a striker who, while inconsistent, still produced goals. With Delap sidelined and Joao Pedro carrying the load, Chelsea may need to accelerate their tactical adjustments.
Will Nicolas Jackson thrive at Bayern — or will Chelsea regret letting him leave?
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