Nicolas Jackson can play against Chelsea for Bayern Munich due to little-known UEFA rule

Following his dramatic deadline-day switch, Nicolas Jackson might look to settle the score against his parent club, Chelsea, in the Champions League.

The Senegal forward found himself at the centre of a last-minute saga between the Blues and Bayern Munich, having travelled to Germany to complete his loan transfer to the Bundesliga giants. However, with new Blues striker Liam Delap sidelined through injury, the Premier League side attempted to cancel Jackson's departure in a bid to preserve attacking options for the season ahead.

The 24-year-old was left angry as his ambitions were firmly fixed on beginning a new adventure alongside Harry Kane at Bayern, as he refused to make the journey back to England. Fortunately, the deadline-day transfer was resurrected, and he sealed his £14.3million loan deal with plenty of satisfaction at the Allianz Arena.

Now, Enzo Maresca's squad will be travelling to Germany on Wednesday evening for their Champions League opener, with Jackson eligible to feature against his parent organisation. Based on UEFA regulations outlined in their 'Statement on Integrity of Competitions', clubs are prohibited from including clauses that would bar their own players from facing them in European competition.

The regulation states that clubs cannot apply "any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may [or may not] field in a match."

This ensures that Jackson will be allowed to line up against his parent club Chelsea in the Champions League, and he is eagerly anticipating his reunion with the Blues on Wednesday - while hoping to secure his first European win in Bayern colours.

Speaking about the upcoming match, the forward 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."

Despite Jackson's potential desire for a permanent move to Bayern - with an obligation-to-buy clause of £56.2m included in his contract - the club's main man has made it clear that he doesn't anticipate this happening.

Honorary president Uli Hoeness has suggested that the striker will never reach the number of appearances needed to activate 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."

However, Jackson holds a contrasting view. The striker is confident in his ability to prove the doubters wrong and thrive in Germany for the Bundesliga giants.

Responding to Hoeness's comments, 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. "

Reflecting on signing for Bayern, Jackson 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 his Bayern teammates are set to face Chelsea at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, 17 September 2025 at 8pm.

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