![\"SOCCER:](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2224513066.jpg\")
\n\t\tJackson left Stamford Bridge to join Bayern Munich (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tJackson left Stamford Bridge to join Bayern Munich (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
Nicolas Jackson<\/a> insists he bears no ill will towards Enzo Maresca despite his \u2018sad\u2019 Chelsea<\/a> exit this summer.<\/p>\n The Senegal international was Chelsea\u2019s only established centre forward option for the past two seasons in Stamford Bridge, scoring 30 goals in 81 matches.<\/p>\n Despite erratic finishing, he retained the faith of his manager but a costly red card against Newcastle United in April<\/a> \u2013 his second of the season \u2013 followed by another four minutes after coming off the bench in a Club World Cup match saw him lose the manager\u2019s trust<\/a>.<\/p>\n By July, Chelsea had signed two more strikers in Liam Delap and Joao Pedro with Jackson suddenly finding himself third choice.<\/p>\n Bayern Munich offered him a way out<\/a>, joining the German giants on an initial season-long loan deal priced at \u00a314.3million.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tYour ultimate guide to the football season\t\t\t<\/p>\n Metro’s football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday \u2013 sign up<\/a>, it’s an open goal.<\/p>\n Bayern are obligated to sign him permanently for \u00a356.2m next summer providing he makes a set number of appearances.<\/p>\n \u2018[There were] very strong emotions, but not for the reasons you might think,\u2019 Jackson said of his exit to Italian outlet Tuttosport.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018I was simply very happy to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the world, to discover another league and other great players.<\/p>\n \u2018At the same time, I was a little sad to leave Chelsea, my teammates, and the fans. I experienced so many strong emotions there: we won the Conference League and the Club World Cup.<\/p>\n \u2018Now I\u2019m 100% focused on my new project and I can\u2019t wait to experience the incredible atmosphere at the Allianz Arena.\u2019<\/p>\n Jackson was described as the \u2018perfect no.9\u2019 by his manager as recently as April but he found his circumstances in west London change very quickly over the summer.<\/p>\n Despite that, the former Villarreal star looks back fondly on his time working with Maresca..<\/p>\n \u2018Football is full of cycles. Sometimes things don\u2019t go as they should, and that\u2019s part of the game.<\/p>\n \u2018I respect Maresca, I learned a lot from him, he has his own ideas and style.<\/p>\n \u2018I just needed something different at this stage of my career. I have no regrets, just gratitude for my time at Chelsea.\u2019<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Wolverhampton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2167835473.jpg\")
\n\t\tJackson was Maresca\u2019s first choice option up top (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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