Why Nicolas Jackson is eligible to play against Chelsea for Bayern Munich despite loan deal

Nicolas Jackson will aim to exact some revenge on his parent club Chelsea in the Champions League for Bayern Munich , after his deadline day drama move. The Senegal striker was at the heart of an eleventh-hour debacle between the clubs, as he landed in Germany to finalise his loan move to the Bundesliga champions .

However, with new Blues man Liam Delap injured, the Premier League side were trying to cancel Jackson's move in order to retain some depth up top for the future. The 24-year-old was left furious as his heart was set on a new chapter alongside Harry Kane at Bayern, as he refused to return to England.

Thankfully, the deadline day move was revived and he confirmed his £14.3million loan deal with a smile at the Allianz Arena. Now, Enzo Maresca's side will be heading to Germany on Wednesday night for their Champions League opener, and Jackson will be eligible to play against his parent club.

According to UEFA regulations in their 'Statement on Integrity of Competitions', clubs are not able to insert clauses that prevent their own players from facing them in Europe. The rule reads that clubs cannot apply "any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may [or may not] field in a match."

This means that Jackson will be able to face his parent club Chelsea in the Champions League , and he is looking forward to reunited with the Blues on Wednesday - and hopefully get his first European win in Bayern colours.

Discussing the upcoming match, the striker said: "We're playing against Chelsea, and lots of friends, on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to seeing them again and want to win the game."

However, even if Jackson wants a permanent move to Bayern - with an obligation to buy clause of £56.2m inserted into his deal - the club's chief has made it clear that he doesn't expect it to materialise. Honrary president Uli Hoeness has claimed the striker will never make the amount of appearances required to trigger the clause.

Hoeness told German television channel SPORT1: "It's not a €16.5m loan fee, because the player and his agent are contributing €3m, so that leaves €13.5m.

"There will definitely not be a permanent contract. That only happens if he plays 40 games from the start. He will never do that."

But Jackson is of a different opinion; the striker is backing himself to prove doubters wrong and excel in Germany for the Bundesliga giants. Discussing Hoeness's words, the 24-year-old said: "Obviously I know he is a big legend for this club.

""I have a lot of respect for him. I know him since before. My job is just to play and help the team win games. The number of games isn't my focus. I want to achieve big things with the club."

On joining Bayern, he added: "I was really confident I could stay here. It was the place I wanted to be. I'd spoken beforehand with the coach and the bosses. I'm really happy to be here and training with the team. I know a few players and can hardly wait to start playing."

Jackson and Bayern will take on Chelsea at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, 17 September 2025 at 8pm.

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