Nicolas Jackson’s shock switch from Chelsea to Bayern Munich – which was agreed a year out from signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge – has been branded a "bit harsh" despite the Senegal international striker not being a "natural goal-scorer". Blues legend Roberto Di Matteo has offered his take on a surprising switch agreed late in the summer window.
New contract ultimately meaningless
Jackson only committed to fresh terms 12 months ago, with that agreement supposed to keep him in west London through to the summer of 2033. The 24-year-old now finds himself at the Allianz Arena.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALCompeting with England captain Kane
He has swapped being back-up in England – behind new arrivals Joao Pedro and Liam Delap – for a similar role in Germany. When fit, England captain Harry Kane will be Bayern’s go-to goal-getter.
Will £70m purchase option be triggered?
It is considered unlikely that a £70 million ($95m) purchase clause in Jackson’s deal in Munich will be triggered, meaning that his long-term future remains uncertain – with parent club Chelsea seemingly ready to move forward with alternative options.
Getty/GOALWhat Di Matteo said about Jackson's loan transfer
Discussing Jackson’s slightly surprising departure, former Blues player and manager Di Matteo – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “We can’t have too many sentiments in football. I like him. He’s not naturally a goal-scorer. Joao Pedro has shown that he can be a natural goal-scorer, so that’s going to make a huge difference for the team because sometimes – many times – you play against teams that just sit back and you don't have space. You need some match-winners in your team, some players that can unlock a defence, like [Cole] Palmer, like Joao Pedro, Estevao – he has started his career with Chelsea on a really positive note. And then Delap, every time that he plays or comes on he looks very strong, very sharp, physically very good.
"A bit harsh but maybe he didn’t want to be around as second or third striker, he wanted a different challenge. He’s gone to Bayern, I mean that’s a top world club, it’s not a small club."