Nicolas Jackson has delivered a clear ultimatum to incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso.
“Start me or sell me”: Jackson makes direct demand to new Chelsea boss Alonso
The striker demands assurances over his game-time and will only stay at Stamford Bridge if Alonso views him as a first-choice option.
Jackson returns to Chelsea this summer after spending the 2025-26 season on loan at Bayern Munich.
The German champions paid £14m for the loan deal and agreed a further £56m for a permanent transfer if certain conditions triggered.
Those conditions never materialised, and Bayern chose not to renegotiate.
The Senegal international now faces an uncertain future. According to The Sun, Jackson feels happy to remain at Chelsea.
But he wants direct answers from Alonso about his role in the team.
Jackson plans to seek those assurances personally. If the new manager cannot guarantee regular starting opportunities, the striker will push for another loan move or a permanent transfer elsewhere.
Chelsea sanctioned Jackson’s loan last summer after spending nearly £100m on Joao Pedro from Brighton and Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.
Joao Pedro impressed during the campaign, scoring 20 goals. Delap endured a miserable season, managing just two goals in all competitions.
Jackson scored 11 goals in 34 appearances for Bayern, largely playing as backup to Harry Kane.
During his two previous seasons at Chelsea, he netted 30 goals in 81 appearances following his £32m move from Villarreal.
Chelsea now plans talks with Jackson’s representatives. The club must decide whether to sell, reintegrate, or loan him out again.
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson recently urged Chelsea to bring Jackson back. “I would get Nicolas Jackson back,” Merson said.
“Palmer made Jackson and Jackson made Palmer. Palmer’s not on that plane to the World Cup because Jackson’s not been there.”
The final decision likely rests on Alonso’s verdict. Jackson wants clarity, and he wants it soon.
