Why Nicolas Jackson CAN play for Bayern Munich against Chelsea in Champions League

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Evening Standard

·2 September 2025

Why Nicolas Jackson CAN play for Bayern Munich against Chelsea in Champions League

UEFA rules state that loanees can play against parent clubs

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

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One of the great transfer stories in recent times finally came to a close when Nicolas Jackson was in fact allowed to join Bayern Munich from Chelsea after all.

The Senegalese striker had landed in Bavaria set to sign for the Bundesliga champions before being told by the Blues that he was due back in London - with the deal off - after Liam Delap had hobbled off injured against Fulham.

Jackson was furious, with his heart set on a new chapter at Bayern, and he got his wish on Deadline Day, with the move revived and the forward set to rival Harry Kane for a starting berth at the Allianz Arena.

The 24-year-old moves on an initial loan, with Standard Sport’s understanding that the loan fee is £14.3million.

There is then an obligation to buy him for £56.2million if he makes a certain number of appearances.

Across the river, while Chelsea were getting rid of a striker, Tottenham were signing one.

They landed Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on Deadline Day, with the Frenchman added to central-striking ranks that contain Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

Kolo Muani arrives at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a straight loan with no option or obligation to buy.

What ties both of these two deals together is that both players have moved on loan to sides that their parents clubs are set to face in the league phase of the Champions League.

Chelsea open their European campaign with a trip to Bayern on Wednesday, September 17, while Spurs travel to Paris on Wednesday, November 26, in what will be a rematch of their UEFA Super Cup defeat in Udine last month.

It is often a hotly-debated topic, whether loanees should be able to play against the teams that they are contracted to, but can these two do so?

Can Jackson and Kolo Muani play against their parent clubs?

UEFA regulations say yes.

According to the governing body’s ‘Statement on Integrity of Competitions’, clubs cannot insert clauses that prevent their own players from facing them in European competition.