Chelsea Block Bayern Move for Nicolas Jackson After Liam Delap’s Injury Blow

Chelsea have pulled the plug on Nicolas Jackson’s proposed loan switch to Bayern Munich after summer signing Liam Delap picked up a hamstring injury during Saturday’s win over Fulham According to the Athletic.

The 21-year-old striker, who arrived from Ipswich Town for £30million earlier this summer, was forced off just 14 minutes into the London derby at Stamford Bridge. Delap clutched his hamstring before immediately signalling to the bench, and head coach Enzo Maresca later confirmed he expects the youngster to be out for up to eight weeks.

That injury has left Chelsea’s forward options stretched, prompting the club to recall Jackson, who had been on the verge of sealing a season-long loan to Bayern.

Bayern Move Collapses at the Final Hurdle

The Athletic reported on Saturday that Bayern had reached an agreement with Chelsea to take Jackson on loan, with an option to buy. The proposed package was said to be worth around €80million (£69m), but Chelsea have now informed the German champions that the deal is off.

The decision comes down to necessity rather than finance. With Delap sidelined, Chelsea would have been left with just João Pedro as their only senior striker. That would have been a huge gamble for a side hoping to compete on multiple fronts this season.

Maresca Explains the Situation

Speaking after the 2-0 victory over Fulham, Maresca admitted Delap’s absence has forced a rethink in attack.

“When you have two strikers it is enough, when one of them is injured for weeks it is not enough,” he explained. “Today we played for more than one hour with Tyrique [George] and he did brilliant. The last time he played as a No.9 was against Manchester United last year. We tried to use different solutions. If you remember, there were some games where we used Pedro [Neto] as a No.9. But for sure when you have two proper No.9s it is enough.”

Maresca’s comments underline how fragile Chelsea’s striking department has become. Jackson, who scored 14 goals in all competitions last season, remains a vital piece in the puzzle despite inconsistent form. Losing him now, alongside Delap, would have left the Blues dangerously short up front.

What Next for Chelsea’s Attack?

The timing of Delap’s injury could hardly be worse. Chelsea have been working to trim their squad and raise funds, and Jackson’s potential sale next summer would have freed up space and cash for new arrivals. Now, instead of easing the logjam in their squad, Chelsea are scrambling to ensure they simply have enough bodies in attack.

Maresca has already shown a willingness to experiment. Tyrique George, just 18, impressed after coming on against Fulham, while Pedro Neto has also been tried in a false-nine role in the past. But relying too heavily on youth or out-of-position players across a busy schedule carries obvious risks.

João Pedro, signed for £52million earlier this window, may now be thrust into the spotlight as Chelsea’s main striker until Delap returns. The Brazilian netted 14 league goals for Brighton last season and is expected to shoulder much of the responsibility in the weeks ahead.

A Wider Problem for Chelsea

The episode also highlights Chelsea’s ongoing issues in the centre-forward position. Since Diego Costa’s departure in 2017, the club has struggled to find a consistent No.9. Big-money moves for the likes of Álvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuaín, Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner have failed to fully deliver.

Jackson’s development was meant to be part of the solution, while Delap’s arrival was aimed at adding depth and youth to the role. Instead, Chelsea find themselves back at square one — juggling injuries, rethinking transfer plans, and asking untested youngsters to step up.

With the season still in its early stages, Maresca will be hoping Jackson can rediscover his scoring touch quickly, while Delap makes a smooth recovery. Until then, Chelsea’s striking situation is one of the biggest questions hanging over their campaign.