Chelsea's transfer call baffles Gary Neville before one last U-turn – 'Why would you?'

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson was uncertain on his future for much of the summer (Image: AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has questioned why Chelsea considered cancelling Nicolas Jackson's loan move to Bayern Munich after Liam Delap suffered a minor injury.

Jackson secured a switch to Bayern on transfer deadline day, but it came after months of confusion over the striker's future. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca performed several U-turns on Jackson over the summer as the forward was linked with a host of clubs from Newcastle to Manchester United.

The 24-year-old's Chelsea career developed into something of an ordeal after Jackson and his agent flew to Munich to seal a loan deal with the German champions over the weekend. However, Jackson was then suddenly instructed to return to Chelsea following Delap's injury, which he picked up in Chelsea's win over Fulham on Saturday.

Jackson was eventually granted his move. Prior to the striker's move, Neville expressed his bewilderment at how Chelsea had handled the Senegal forward.

"The idea of sending him to Bayern Munich on-loan, and if [Delap] is out from four to six weeks which was a normal hamstring [injury] would be, if he's out for four to six weeks why would you stop a loan?" Neville said on his self-titled podcast on Sunday evening.

"I can see why Nicolas Jackson is hurting, bitter," he added. "But I can also see why Chelsea as a football club have to protect themselves. But you've sent the kid over there on a plane, you've accepted the deal, you've said go and do it, and then this happens. Not sure how you get around it. It's an unfortunate situation where I can see both sides."

Gary Neville was perplexed by Chelsea's handling of Nicolas Jackson (Image: Sky Sports)

It's been a tumultuous summer for Jackson. Arriving at Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023, he scored 30 goals in 81 appearances as he appeared to cement himself in the Blues' first XI, while also bagging himself an extension on his deal to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2033.

Yet he was made available for a transfer this summer following the arrival of Delap from Ipswich Town and Joao Pedro from Brighton. Maresca originally said that his side's attacking recruitment was designed to increase competition for the striker.

The Italian subsequently had a change of heart and told Jackson his time in west London was over. "He is training with us, but he is not going to be involved," Maresca said on the eve of the new season. "You know the situation already. The transfer window is open, he can leave, and we will see."

Enzo Maresca has made his Chelsea feelings clear on Nicolas Jackson (Image: (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images))

Discussing Jackson's situation ahead of Chelsea's trip to West Ham on August 21, Maresca further clarified: "He is available but he's not going to be part of the squad because, as we already said, we have two strikers, we have two players in that position and also we know that something can happen before the transfer window closes."

When asked if Jackson was close to leaving, Maresca candidly added: "No idea, to be honest. No idea." Bayern are obligated to buy Jackson for £56.2m if he makes a certain number of appearances, but they will fork out an initial £14.3m to the Blues.

Upon arriving in Germany, Jackson said: "I'm really happy to now be part of this great club. Bayern is one of the best clubs in the world. Everyone knows the names of the legends who've played here and knows that this club stands for the greatest success. I've got big goals and dreams here and will give my all to help Bayern win further titles."