Jackson gets going at Bayern: Key takeaways from his first training session | OneFootball

New signing Nicolas Jackson gets started at FC Bayern: What stood out in the first training session.

When Nicolas Jackson stepped onto the pitch at FC Bayern for the first time on Thursday afternoon, the joy of the 24-year-old over his move from the Premier League was evident. With a broad grin and a quiet "Servus" on his lips, the Senegalese player entered the training ground – a small greeting that already revealed much about his motivation and humility.

For Munich, the deadline-day transfer from FC Chelsea was a major effort: a loan fee of 16.5 million euros plus a purchase option could make the deal a long-term commitment in the end.

First Steps at the Record Champion

Photo: FC Bayern

Large parts of the training session were not visible to the fans on Säbener Straße. Coach Vincent Kompany had the pitch shielded as usual with privacy screens to work undisturbed. And yet it's clear: Every minute counts for Jackson. After his successful international appearances for Senegal – a 2-0 against Sudan and a 3-2 victory against DR Congo, in which he scored himself – he has little time to settle in at Bayern.

Before the Bundesliga home game against Hamburger SV on Saturday evening (6:30 PM, Sky), there are only two training sessions on the schedule. Today, Friday, marks the last rehearsal before the match, which is also a benchmark for Jackson. Due to the many departures, there is still a shortage of personnel in Bayern's offense. Whether as a substitute for top scorer Harry Kane, as a supporting striker behind Serge Gnabry, or on the wings alongside Michael Olise and Luis Díaz – Jackson is expected to expand Kompany's options.

However, a starting lineup appearance right at the beginning of his Bayern time would be a surprise. The preparation time is too short, and the risk of throwing the newcomer into the deep end without an adjustment phase is too great. Nevertheless, Jackson's speed, dynamism, and versatility make him an exciting joker for Kompany, on whom the Belgian could soon rely.

Rapid Adjustment Before Debut in the Allianz Arena

Alongside Jackson, Harry Kane and Luis Díaz also returned from their international trips on Thursday. Both resumed the full program under Kompany after strong performances for their national teams. The competition is fierce – and yet Jackson is likely to get his chance sooner than he might like.

The Munich offense is still thinly staffed, as sports director Max Eberl recently emphasized multiple times. This is precisely why the signing of the Senegalese was so important. Jackson brings what the record champion currently lacks: speed, depth, and the ability to flexibly occupy multiple positions in the attack.

One thing is already clear: Jackson must not only prove himself athletically in Munich but also quickly integrate into the team structure. The first impressions suggest that he is ready for this. His greeting, his smile, his commitment – all of this seems like a promise to the Bayern fans.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.