Nicolas Jackson: “I will give everything for Bayern” | OneFootball

New FC Bayern München signing Nicolas Jackson spoke to Italian media source Tuttosport, just a week after arriving at the Allianz Arena on loan from Chelsea FC.

Jackson was first asked what his emotions over the last week have been, particularly during the transfer saga last week.

"Very strong emotions, but not for the reasons that you might think. I was simply very happy to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the world, to get to discover another league and meet other fantastic players,” he said.

Jackson added: “At the same time, I was also quite sad to have left Chelsea, my teammates, and the fans. I experienced so many moments, so many strong emotions there: we won the UEFA Conference League and then the FIFA Club World Cup.”

He concluded his answer by refocusing on his future at Bayern: “Now, I am 100% focused on my new chapter, and I cannot wait to experience the incredible atmosphere that Allianz Arena brings.”

The next question that Jackson was asked was with regards to last weekend and the process of joining Bayern, which was interrupted by an injury to Liam Delap and Chelsea trying to unsuccessfully withdraw the move.

"To be honest, my agents and I were quite confident. I did not doubt that I would sign with Bayern, so I took the situation 'philosophically',” he said. “I am in good health, as are my loved ones, and I am fortunate enough to be a professional footballer. Nothing else matters, that is how I thought of it.”

When asked how he wants to help Bayern in the upcoming season, Jackson responded: “I would like to thank Bayern for the trust that they have given me from the very start. I promise to give everything - every minute, every match, every training session. I know the responsibility that wearing this shirt carries, and I am here to work hard, to help the team win, to grow every day. That is ultimately my mission here.”

Jackson was also asked why he left Chelsea, and whether it was a matter of differences with Enzo Maresca’s coaching philosophy, or something else.

“Football is full of cycles; sometimes things do not go as they should, and that is part of the game,” he replied. “I respect Maresca a lot; I learned a lot from him, he has his own ideas and style. I just needed something different in this part of my career. I have absolutely no regrets, I am just extremely thankful for the time I spent at Chelsea.”

This question was followed by a discussion on the coaching philosophies of Maresca, compared to those of Bayern coach Vincent Kompany. “To be honest, I do not really like to compare coaches. They both have their own styles and they operate in different clubs, different contexts,” Jackson said.

He added: “They were two excellent players, now they are two top coaches. I learned a lot from Maresca, and I know Kompany will teach me a lot too. I cannot wait for the opportunity to play in his team.”

Jackson was asked about joining England international striker Harry Kane on the Bayern squad. “The most important thing will not be Harry and I, but the whole team. Nevertheless, it is a huge honor - Kane is one of the best strikers in the world,” he said.

“I hope to learn from him, complement his game, and build a strong bond on the pitch. We will complement each other, and we will work hard to ensure the results meet expectations. Playing with a striker of his calibre, and also all the others, will definitely help me improve,” Jackson added.

Bayern will face Chelsea in the Champions League in just a week and a half. Regarding this moment and facing his former team, he said, “That is football, it will be exciting - but once the game starts, I will give everything for Bayern. It is a great opportunity to show who I am and how much I have developed.”

The club will also face Arsenal FC in the league phase, as well as reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. Jackson said regarding these matchups: “I love it. These are the challenges that you dream of as a kid: playing in the largest stadiums, against some of the strongest teams. It is motivating - I cannot wait. We respect all the teams, but we are not afraid of anyone.”