Paul Scholes, the legendary figure of Manchester United, has recently expressed his concerns over Chelsea’s decision to allow Nicolas Jackson to join Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich this past summer. Over an ambitious transfer window, Chelsea introduced ten new faces while seeing 23 players depart Stamford Bridge, either on a permanent basis or through loan agreements. Jackson was among those who exited, with his temporary switch to Bayern featuring an obligation to purchase, potentially escalating to a hefty £70 million. This move was part of Chelsea’s strategy to recuperate some financial outlay subsequent to significant acquisitions, including Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Alejandro Garnacho.
During a candid chat on the ‘The Good, The Bad & The Football’ podcast, Scholes revealed his belief that Chelsea may lament Jackson’s departure, considering his ability to advance play swiftly up the pitch. Scholes remarked, “When you talk about midfielders operating as No. 10s, like Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, they require that upfront pace, similar to someone like Ian Wright. Even if Nicolas Jackson wasn’t the sharpest finisher, his movement was invaluable in stretching defences and creating space for others. Without that pace, teams are able to push their lines higher, restricting play.”
Echoing these sentiments, former Arsenal icon Paul Merson also critiqued Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Jackson, categorising it as a “misguided sale.” He enthused, “Nicolas Jackson and Palmer complemented each other remarkably well. As a midfielder, pace ahead of you transforms the game, providing openings for players like Palmer. With Jackson gone, and Joan Pedro, who tends to drop deeper, taking his place, it limits the time and space creative talents like Palmer and Enzo Fernandez have on the ball. From my perspective, losing Jackson was a mistake, despite his inconsistency in front of goal.”
Despite the critique, Chelsea’s recent performances appear buoyant, with a notable 2-1 triumph over Liverpool showcasing their potential. Moises Caicedo’s remarkable goal propelled Chelsea into the lead, further instilling confidence within the squad. Commenting on their victory, Caicedo shared with the club’s official site, “Our fans were incredible, and they energised us throughout. This win reflects our potential and can serve as a springboard for the remainder of the season. Beating such formidable opponents is pivotal for morale, and we’ll continue building on this momentum.”