Nicolas Jackson open to Chelsea stay under Xabi Alonso but demands first-team role

Nicolas Jackson is prepared to continue his Chelsea career under incoming manager Xabi Alonso, but only if he is guaranteed a first-team starting role, according to reports. The 24-year-old returns to Stamford Bridge this summer after Bayern Munich chose not to activate their purchase option following his season-long loan in Germany.

Jackson scored 11 goals in 34 appearances for the Bundesliga champions — a return that was not sufficient to convince Bayern to make the deal permanent. The striker had originally left Chelsea because he was unwilling to play second fiddle to Liam Delap under former head coach Enzo Maresca. While Jackson is now open to staying, a further loan or a permanent exit remain possibilities if his conditions are not met.

Signed from Villarreal in 2023, Jackson has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea and has seven years remaining on his contract. Alonso is set to officially take charge on 1 July, having signed a four-year deal as Liam Rosenior’s replacement.

Former Arsenal and England forward Paul Merson has publicly backed reintegrating Jackson into the squad. “Palmer made Jackson and Jackson made Palmer,” Merson argued. “Palmer’s not on that plane [to the World Cup] because Jackson’s not been there. I would rip Jackson back.”

Merson also questioned the suitability of Chelsea’s current attacking options, suggesting Liam Delap is “out of his depth” and that Joao Pedro functions more naturally as a number ten than a centre-forward. He believes a back three would suit Alonso’s system given the attacking full-back options available in Reece James, Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto, alongside a midfield axis of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

“They need a manager who the fans are grateful is managing Chelsea and they’ve got that now with Xabi Alonso because he’s a top manager,” Merson added. “They could be a good team but they need some experience.”