Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has denied claims of a fractured relationship with Nicolas Jackson and has revealed he sent the striker a message when he joined Bayern Munich.
The 24-year-oldcompleted his loan move to Bayern in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, although at one stage the deal appeared to be in doubt as Chelsea cancelled the deal due to Liam Delap’s hamstring injury.
Jackson ended up staying in Germany in order to force through his move to the Bundesliga champions and the Senegal international is now eligible to play against Chelsea in their Champions League league phase opener on Wednesday night.
Bayern paid £14.3 million to sign Jackson on loan and have the option to complete a permanent deal next year for €65m (£56.2m), however, the striker’s representative has indicated that a return to Chelsea is not being considered.
Speaking on Canal+ Sport’s show Talents D’Afrique, Jackson’s agent, Diomansy Kamara, was asked if there is any way back for the striker at Chelsea.
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‘Absolutely not. Absolutely not,’ Kamara replied.
‘Today at Chelsea, the relationship with Maresca isn’t necessarily the best.
‘We’re never going to bite the hand that feeds us because Chelsea allowed him to find the European level.
‘He was there for two years and scored 30 goals, so he always had a good relationship. After, it’s true that the red cards complicated it at Chelsea.
‘Today, we’re looking towards Bayern having a good season. We will see what is best for him. But it’s true that Bayern is a priority for him for a long time.’
When asked about the comments from Jackson’s representative, Maresca said on Tuesday night: ‘Me with Nico? Me personally, again, I didn’t have any kind of problem with Nico and I don’t have any problem with Nico.
‘Again, he’s a good guy, good professional, worked well with us, and that’s it.’
Maresca also revealed he sent his best wishes to Jackson following his move to Bayern.
‘I am grateful, thankful to Nico because if we achieved what we achieved last year, it is because of all of the players including Nicolas who was with us,’ Maresca said.
‘I texted him after he left the club to thank him for last season and wished him all the best.
‘Nico is a good guy, with us he was good and he was working well.’
Maresca also revealed that Jackson replied to his message.
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