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Can Nicolas Jackson play against Chelsea in the Champions League?
Cameron Smith
- 16 Sept 2025 12:30 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea will mark their return to the Champions League stage with a tricky away fixture against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening.
The Blues haven’t played in Europe’s premier club competition since a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid back in April 2023, during Frank Lampard’s interim spell, but they secured qualification earlier this year thanks to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
Current ETV
Nicolas Jackson
F (C)
Bayern
Nicolas Jackson
F (C)
Bayern
ETV Range
€58.8M - €71.9M
Chelsea head to the Allianz Arena, the scene of their historic victory over Bayern in the 2012 Champions League final, aiming to continue their unbeaten start to the new season.
However, the Blues could be haunted by Nicolas Jackson.
The Senegal star was deemed surplus to requirements by the Chelsea hierarchy following the summer arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, and after weeks of negotiations with multiple clubs, he joined Bayern on loan on Transfer Deadline Day.
The temporary deal includes an obligation to buy for €65 million, however Bayern chief Uli Hoeness has confirmed this clause will only be triggered if Jackson starts 40 games this season - something that will “never happen.”
However, the 24-year-old made his Bayern debut against Hamburg on Saturday and he is now in line to face his parent club on Wednesday night.
Can Nicolas Jackson play against Chelsea?
Yes. Unlike in the Premier League, UEFA rules state that loan players are eligible to feature against their parent club in the Champions League.
This famously occurred when Philippe Coutinho scored twice against Barcelona during his loan spell at Bayern.
As a result, Jackson is able to play against Chelsea for Bayern on Wednesday.
Chelsea’s Champions League fixtures 2025-26
After facing Bayern on Wednesday evening, Chelsea’s European fixture schedule gets slightly easier and Enzo Maresca will back his side to qualify for the knockout stage.
The Blues will host Benfica and Ajax at Stamford Bridge on 30 September and 22 October respectively, before travelling to face Qarabag on 5 November.
They will then play at home to La Liga heavyweights Barcelona on 25 November and face Atalanta in Bergamo on 9 December.
After the turn of the year, Chelsea will round out the league phase with games against Pafos (H) on 21 January and Napoli (A) on 28 January.
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