Chelsea: Enzo Maresca reveals message to Nicolas Jackson as Blues prepare to face Bayern

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·16 de septiembre de 2025

Chelsea: Enzo Maresca reveals message to Nicolas Jackson as Blues prepare to face Bayern

Loanee striker is able to face his parent club tomorrow night

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Enzo Maresca insisted he is “grateful” for everything Nicolas Jackson did in a Chelsea shirt as he prepares for a swift reunion with the striker.

The Blues travel to face Bayern Munich on Wednesday night in their opening match of the Champions League campaign.

Jackson joined Bayern on loan in the summer after a dramatic conclusion to the transfer window. He travelled to Munich to complete a medical, then got told he had to return to Chelsea after Liam Delap suffered an injury, before ultimately wrapping up the move to the Bundesliga champions.

The forward is eligible to face his parent club and Maresca was asked about Jackson at his pre-match press conference.

“I said the other day I’m grateful, thankful to Nico,” he said. “If we achieved what we achieved last year it’s because all the players, including Nicolas, that was with us.

“I text him after he left the club telling him thanks for last season, wishing him all the best. Nico is a good guy. With us [he] was good, working well.”

Asked why he decided to let Jackson leave Bayern, the Chelsea boss added: “Because we bought two strikers. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro. I think with two strikers it’s a good number, it’s enough. This is the reason why.”

Prep: Nicolas Jackson

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Despite still being on Chelsea’s books UEFA rules state that Jackson can face the Blues, which Maresca has no issue with.

“For me it’s normal,” Maresca said.

“I’m from Italy. I played many years in Spain and this rule when you are on loan you can play, so for me it’s OK.”

Jackson played 45 minutes off the bench over the weekend as he made his Bayern debut.

Vincent Kompany did not confirm whether he would start the forward when quizzed on whether Jackson could be too emotional and too keen to prove a point after his treatment by Chelsea this summer.

He responded: "You can look at it both ways. You can be on the side where you think, do you want one of your ex-players to play against you straight away?

"Does he get a chance to do something as well? The point you mentioned is a fair point. I don't think it's black or white. It can go both ways."