With Chelsea set to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League, some fans want to know if Nicolas Jackson can play against his parent club.
Jackson joined Bayern from Chelsea in the summer transfer window, with the German club reportedly paying an initial fee of £14m for the loan deal.
The Bundesliga champions have the option to turn Jackson’s deal into a £70m permanent move – but Bayern chief Uli Hoeness has insisted that the striker will be heading back to Chelsea following the 2025-26 season.
Ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Bayern, here’s everything you need to know about UEFA’s loan rules and if Jackson is eligible to play.
Can Nicolas Jackson play against Chelsea?
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Yes – Jackson is free to play for Bayern against Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday.
While teams in the Premier League are unable to play loanees against theirrespective parent club, that currently isn’t the case in UEFA competitions.
According to Champions League rules for the 2025-26 campaign, Jackson will be available to feature against Chelsea.
Will Nicolas Jackson start against Chelsea?
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has not ruled out the possibility of Jackson starting against Chelsea in the Champions League.
Jackson has made one appearance for Bayern so far, coming off the bench at half-time to replace Serge Gnabry against Hamburg on Saturday.
A start against Chelsea would come as a bit of a surprise, though, given Bayern’s prolific attack of Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Luis Diaz and Gnabry.
‘We’ll see tomorrow,’ Kompany said in his press conference when asked if Jackson was ready to start against his parent club Chelsea.
‘I would be giving a little bit too much away about the team. On the second question (is he ready physically and emotionally), you could see it both ways.
‘You could be on the side where you think you want your ex-players to play against you straightaway and he would be given the chance to do something against you.
‘I don’t think it will be black or white but it will certainly be a special game for him.’
Jackson and Kane have been working closely together in training for Bayern behind the scenes.
‘If you follow the Premier League, you can see that he has many good attributes,’ Kane said. ‘He creates a lot of chances. And he’s here to help the team. We’re already working together in training and finishing together.’
