Passed Over Nicolas Jackson's First Opportunity to Haunt the Blues
Striker Nicolas Jackson was at the heart of among the summer window's most gripping saga stories, yet eventually secured his desire by signing for Bayern Munich temporarily from Chelsea.
It did not escape anyone involved in the deal that the young forward would quickly face his original side when Bayern face Chelsea in their initial Champions League fixture on Wednesday.
Individuals assisting seal the stop-start agreement had plenty of time around a hectic deadline day to consider his debut for the German super club in the elite Champions League.
Jackson remained in Germany the whole time as a deal was concluded on Saturday morning, until the green light to have a medical was called off because of a significant hamstring injury to Chelsea forward Liam Delap.
However, the transfer was back on by Monday's deadline.
During that time, Jackson told his representatives he was eager to facing, and potentially scoring against, Chelsea.
That feeling captures some of the emotions as Jackson exited Stamford Bridge.
He may well to feel he has a score to settle to some of the Chelsea fans that did not wholly accept him, particularly showing disapproval during ex-coach Mauricio Pochettino's time in charge.
Some of the management, including manager Enzo Maresca, also began to lose trust in him after double sendings-off against Newcastle United in the Premier League and Flamengo in the Club World Cup in the final stages of last season.
The weakening of the connection between Jackson and Chelsea, coupled with the arrival of strikers Joao Pedro and Delap, pushed him out of west London.
At his unveiling at Bayern, Jackson said: "It was challenging - a difficult period. Challenging instances in those last days. But I was quite sure I will stay here because this is where I want to play and want to be.
"Max Eberl, and the coach really wanted me. It was very tough but in the end we succeeded, so I'm quite pleased.
"I observed Bayern for years. It was a aspiration to join this massive club. When they reached out I was excited and ready to come and play for them."
However, this turbulent transfer saga is only over for now, because the deal - a season-long arrangement with a clause to buy - may not be fully secure.
Will Jackson Join Bayern Permanently?
Jackson moved to Bayern Munich on transfer cutoff day for a multimillion-pound loan fee - approaching a historic high amount for a short-term move - with a conditional obligation to buy for £56.2m.
Only the loan moves that took Alvaro Morata from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid and then from the Spanish club to Juventus received bigger fees.
But, according to numerous German media reports, the conditions to make the loan deal full are difficult to meet.
Uli Hoeness, the one-time attacker who is an key personality on Bayern's board, told Sky Germany during the international break: "He is unlikely to feature 40 games from the start.
"We still have 32 Bundesliga games. If we make it to the Champions League final, which we hope we will, that brings 13 games. The overall is 45 games.
"German Cup games are excluded. So he would have to start each match. He will go to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, so he is unlikely to feature in 40 games."
Further clarification has been given that any appearance of 45 minutes or more would count as a "start" for Jackson.
The executive added that Jackson's Epic Sport agency, managed by Ali Barat, covered the extra £1.3m added to the loan fee by Chelsea in the 48 hours before deadline, while hinting at the possibility that the Senegal striker could come back to west London next summer.
During inquiries about the arrangement at his unveiling press conference, Jackson said: "That's beyond my control, my job is just to do my best, make my team win and score as many goals. My focus is only on aiming for big things."
Nevertheless, Chelsea are content regarding the financial terms and such a significant borrowing cost could motivate Bayern to buy Jackson next summer.
Representatives from Bavaria have also suggested that, if Jackson shines and displays a constructive approach over the temporary spell, he will find a permanent home in Bavaria.
The intention is for him to both compete with and complement star striker Harry Kane.
Jackson had his debut as a interval replacement for the Bundesliga titleholders during their 5-0 win over Hamburg on Saturday, taking over from Serge Gnabry and playing alongside the England captain.
"I thought he looked impressive," said Kane. "At sessions, he's looked really good. It's difficult coming into a team like us when we're so disciplined.
"His physique is very powerful and quick. And if he plays, he'll be eager to impress. But I aim not to put excessive expectations on him too soon.
"He knows he's adapting to the team. So far he's had a excellent mindset and the desire to improve is the most important thing."
Jackson is capable of playing as a central striker or on the left flank, so has alternatives in terms of position. And at Bayern, he escapes the expectation of needing to be the primary scorer, while his association with the England captain can only benefit him in the future.
"What I hope is that he scores a lot of goals for us. I think he'll achieve that," said Bayern boss Vincent Kompany.
It's up to him in Jackson's court. He can either excel and stay at one of the world's largest teams or take a comparable route to Jadon Sancho, who went back to Manchester United for a £5m penalty fee as Chelsea escaped their previous £20m purchase requirement agreement.
How Come It Failed to Work Out at Chelsea?
The club from London and Jackson's representatives argue the forward's time at Chelsea was a positive.
Chelsea banked on three months of exceptional form at Villarreal and decided to trigger his £32m exit fee in 2023. He had significantly increased in value over a two-year period.
Jackson had only been a elite athlete for five years - six years ahead of his move to Chelsea, he was competing on sandy amateur pitches in his Senegalese birthplace of Ziguinchor.
All understood Jackson was a rough diamond, having played just 1,758 minutes of top-flight football, but he quickly established himself as Chelsea's first-choice forward.
Expectedly, given the rapidity of his rise, there were moments that Jackson had difficulties.
According to Opta data, Jackson fell short of his anticipated returns by a score of -7 over the past two seasons, which is the second-worst total in the Premier League, exceeded only by Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Ineffective scoring drew negative feedback from fans, and he is known to have been affected by that pressure. Jackson would have runs of scoring goals but then experience prolonged goalless stretches.
In response to inquiries about his exit, Maresca said: "He is a Bayern Munich player. I contacted him and wished him all the best. He worked well when he was here. That's all I can say."
But Jackson also outscored Chelsea legend Didier Drogba in his first season - registering 14 goals to the Ivory Coast striker's 10. He then scored 21 goals in his first 50 games to equal one of Africa's top forwards at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are likely to make substantial profit, whether