Rejected Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson gets early chance to haunt Chelsea

Rejected but far from forgotten, Senegal international Nicolas Jackson will get the chance to make an immediate statement against his parent club as Bayern Munich host Chelsea in their opening UEFA Champions League fixture on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old forward, who joined the German champions on a season-long loan from Stamford Bridge, is set for a potentially explosive debut in Europe’s premier competition against the side that sanctioned his departure.

Jackson’s summer switch was among the most dramatic transfer sagas of the window. The deal was initially agreed on Saturday morning but temporarily halted when Chelsea feared losing striker Liam Delap to a serious hamstring injury.

By Monday’s deadline, however, the move was back on and Bayern had their man. Jackson told advisers at the time he was eager to face Chelsea and prove a point after a fractious relationship with sections of the club’s fanbase and coaching staff.

The loan agreement is worth £14.3 million – one of the largest in history – with a conditional obligation to buy for £56.2 million.

Yet Bayern’s hierarchy, led by Uli Hoeness, have already suggested the criteria to trigger a permanent move are demanding, particularly with Jackson heading to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Jackson made a lively debut as a second-half substitute in Bayern’s 5-0 Bundesliga win over Hamburg on Saturday, drawing praise from Harry Kane for his sharpness in training and versatility in attack.

Manager Vincent Kompany added that his new signing can operate centrally or from the left, reducing the burden of being Bayern’s main scorer.

Wednesday’s clash at the Allianz Arena now offers Jackson the perfect stage to show both clubs he can flourish at the highest level – and perhaps accelerate Bayern’s plans to keep him beyond this loan spell.