Overlooked Jackson's Early Chance to Haunt the Blues
Striker Nicolas Jackson was at the heart of one of the summer window's most dramatic deal narratives, however finally secured his desire by joining Bayern Munich on loan from Chelsea.
It was not lost on every participant in the deal that the 24-year-old would shortly encounter his former team when Bayern face Chelsea in their opening Champions League game on Wednesday.
Those who helped finalize the turbulent transfer had plenty of time around a chaotic deadline day to consider his debut for the Bavarian giants in the continent's top tournament.
Jackson was present in Germany all along as a deal was agreed on Saturday morning, prior to approval to have a medical was cancelled because of a severe hamstring injury to west London attacker Liam Delap.
Yet the deal was revived by Monday's deadline.
During that time, Jackson told his agents he was eager to facing, and hopefully scoring against, Chelsea.
Such emotion sums up some of the sentiments as Jackson departed Stamford Bridge.
He probably to feel he has a statement to make to some of the Chelsea fans that did not wholly accept him, particularly booing him off during previous boss Mauricio Pochettino's tenure.
Elements of the coaching staff, including manager Enzo Maresca, also began to lose trust in him after a pair of dismissals against Newcastle United in the Premier League and Flamengo in the Club World Cup in the final stages of last season.
This breakdown of the connection between Jackson and Chelsea, coupled with the signing of strikers Joao Pedro and Delap, pushed him out of west London.
During his presentation at Bayern, Jackson said: "It was difficult - a difficult period. Trying times in those last days. But I was very confident I will stay here because this is where I want to play and want to be.
"Bayern's chief, and the coach really wanted me. It was incredibly challenging but in the end we managed it, so I'm extremely happy.
"I've watched Bayern since childhood. It was a aspiration to join this huge team. When they called me I was thrilled and prepared to come and play for them."
However, this on-off-on transfer saga is only over for now, because the deal - a loan with an obligation to buy - does not appear ironclad.
Could Jackson Move to Bayern Permanently?
Jackson moved to Bayern Munich on deadline day for a multimillion-pound loan fee - approaching a global benchmark 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 secured bigger fees.
Yet, according to widespread German media reports, the conditions to make the loan deal long-lasting are challenging to achieve.
Uli Hoeness, the ex-forward who is an influential figure on Bayern's board, told Sky Germany during the international break: "He is unlikely to feature 40 games from the start.
"We've got 32 Bundesliga games. If we advance to the Champions League final, which we aspire to, that adds 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 qualify as a "start" for Jackson.
Hoeness also claimed that Jackson's Epic Sport agency, led by Ali Barat, covered the extra £1.3m tacked onto the loan fee by Chelsea in the 48 hours before deadline, while suggesting the possibility that the Senegal striker could come back to west London next summer.
When asked about the arrangement at his unveiling press conference, Jackson said: "It's not my decision, my job is just to do my best, make my team win and find the net frequently. My focus is only on trying to win big things."
In any case, Chelsea are pleased with the financial terms and such a substantial temporary fee could motivate Bayern to buy Jackson next summer.
Representatives from Bavaria have also stated that, if Jackson excels and displays a good mindset over the temporary spell, he will find a permanent home in Bavaria.
Their plan is for him to both challenge and support star striker Harry Kane.
Jackson made his debut as a second-half introduction for the Bundesliga titleholders during their 5-0 win over Hamburg on Saturday, replacing Serge Gnabry and playing alongside the England captain.
"I felt he looked sharp," said Kane. "During practices, he's looked very strong. It's challenging coming into a team like us when we're so disciplined.
"He physically is very strong and fast. And if he plays, he'll be eager to impress. But I prefer not to put too much pressure on him too soon.
"He knows he's integrating into the team. So far he's had a positive demeanor and the desire to improve is the crucial aspect."
Jackson can play as a number nine or on the left wing, so has choices in terms of position. And at Bayern, he avoids the expectation of needing to be the main goalscorer, while his proximity to the England captain can only benefit him in the future.
"My desire is that he finds the net frequently for us. I think he'll do so," 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 biggest clubs or follow a similar path to Jadon Sancho, who rejoined Manchester United for a financial penalty 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 entourage argue the forward's time at Chelsea was a positive.
Chelsea banked on three months of brilliant displays at Villarreal and decided to trigger his £32m buyout option in 2023. He had significantly increased in value over a 24-month span.
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 city of Ziguinchor.
Everyone knew Jackson was a raw talent, having played just 1,758 minutes of top-flight football, but he quickly established himself as Chelsea's first-choice forward.
Expectedly, given the speed of his rise, there were moments that Jackson struggled.
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-lowest total in the Premier League, exceeded only by Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Wayward shooting drew criticism from fans, and he is known to have suffered under that pressure. Jackson would have sequences of successful finishes but then experience long barren spells.
Upon being questioned about his exit, Maresca said: "Jackson is a Bayern Munich player. I contacted him and wished him all the best. He worked well when he was here. There's nothing more I can say."
But Jackson also outscored Chelsea legend Didier Drogba in his first season - netting 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 elite attackers at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are likely to make substantial profit, whether