Nicolas Jackson finally secured a loan move to Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day, but the deal was almost cancelled after Liam Delap suffered an injury, much to Gary Neville's shock
Gary Neville has questioned why Chelsea considered cancelling Nicolas Jackson's loan move to Bayern Munich following Liam Delap's injury. Jackson's transfer to Bayern was finalised on deadline day following months of uncertainty surrounding the striker's future.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca made several U-turns regarding Jackson throughout the summer, with the forward being linked to a variety of clubs, from Newcastle to Manchester United.
The 24-year-old's saga looked to be nearing an end when he and his agent jetted off to Munich to finalise a loan deal with the German champions over the weekend. However, following Delap's injury during Chelsea's victory against Fulham on Saturday, Jackson was abruptly ordered to return to Chelsea.
Despite the initial hiccup, he was eventually allowed to make his move. Before the transfer went through, Neville voiced his astonishment at Chelsea's treatment of the Senegal forward on his self-titled podcast on Sunday evening.
He questioned: "The idea of sending him to Bayern Munich on loan, and if [Delap] is out from four to six weeks, which a normal hamstring [injury] would be, if he's out for four to six weeks, why would you stop a loan?
"I can see why Nicolas Jackson is hurting, bitter," he added. "But I can also see why Chelsea as a football club have to protect themselves. But you've sent the kid over there on a plane, you've accepted the deal, you've said go and do it, and then this happens. Not sure how you get around it. It's an unfortunate situation where I can see both sides."
It's been a turbulent summer for Jackson. Following his move to Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023, he netted 30 goals in 81 appearances as he seemed to establish himself in the Blues' starting XI, whilst also securing an extension to his contract keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2033.
However, he was placed on the transfer list this summer after the arrivals of Delap from Ipswich Town and Joao Pedro from Brighton. Maresca initially claimed that his side's attacking signings were intended to boost competition for the striker position. The Italian later had a change of mind and informed Jackson that his stint in west London was over.
"He is training with us, but he is not going to be involved," Maresca said on the eve of the new season. "You know the situation already. The transfer window is open, he can leave, and we will see."
Ahead of Chelsea's game against West Ham on August 21, Maresca clarified Jackson's situation, saying: "He is available but he's not going to be part of the squad because, as we already said, we have two strikers, we have two players in that position and also we know that something can happen before the transfer window closes."
When questioned if Jackson was on the brink of a move, Maresca candidly responded: "No idea, to be honest. No idea." Bayern are committed to purchasing Jackson for £56.2m if he plays a certain number of games, but they will initially pay £14.3m to Chelsea.
Upon his arrival in Germany, Jackson said: "I'm really happy to now be part of this great club. Bayern is one of the best clubs in the world. Everyone knows the names of the legends who've played here and knows that this club stands for the greatest success. I've got big goals and dreams here and will give my all to help Bayern win further titles."