Scholes, Merson Slam Chelsea Over Nicolas Jackson Exit

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes and Arsenal legend Paul Merson have both criticised Chelsea’s decision to let Nicolas Jackson leave for Bayern Munich, describing the move as a costly mistake.

Jackson, who joined the Blues from Villarreal in 2023 for £32 million, was sent on loan to the German champions in the summer with a mandatory purchase clause tied to appearances. At the Allianz Arena, the 24-year-old Senegalese forward has been playing as backup to England captain Harry Kane.

Before his departure, Jackson scored 30 goals in 81 matches for Chelsea, a record that Scholes believes the club undervalued. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, the former United man said the striker’s qualities stretched beyond goals.

“These midfield players as No. 10s [like Chelsea’s Cole Palmer], they need pace up front, they need an Ian Wright up there,” Scholes explained. “I don’t think Nicolas Jackson is the greatest finisher, he was never a player you were that confident was going to score if he was running through on goal. I didn’t get that impression with him.

“But at least he gets you up the pitch and he’s got the movement that helps other players because it gives them the space. When you’re not playing against pace everyone is pushed up and there’s nowhere to go.”

Merson echoed those concerns, saying Chelsea overlooked the balance Jackson brought to the side, especially with young striker Liam Delap ruled out long-term through injury.

“I think Nicolas Jackson was a bad sale, I really do. I thought Jackson made Palmer and Palmer made Jackson,” the Arsenal great said. “As a midfield player, you love to pass the ball, so you love pace up front, it’s a dream. Jackson would always go and it would open the game up and give Palmer more space.

“Now he’s gone, and Joan Pedro plays, but he’s more like a 10 who comes short. All of a sudden, your flair players like Palmer and Enzo [Fernandez] don’t get as much time on the ball and start picking the ball up further back, and you can’t hurt teams from there. For me, that’s a problem. Jackson is not the best finisher but he will have his days. I thought that was a bad loan.”

The timing of Jackson’s departure has only fuelled debate. Chelsea fell to Bayern in their Champions League opener, then endured successive Premier League defeats before narrowly edging past Jose Mourinho’s Benfica and sealing a dramatic late win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.