Chelsea's summer transfer window is playing out nicely for one hopeful returnee. The Blues have already had a busy opening few weeks of the summer, with Marc Cucurella departing for Real Madrid on a deal worth more than £50million this week.
There hasn't been much movement elsewhere, but there has been plenty to deal with amid an apparent desire to leave from Enzo Fernandez, a situation that may have to be resolved after the World Cup.
More departures are likely, and it seems to be working in the favour of one player.
Jackson more and more likely to return
Nicolas Jackson is set to return to Stamford Bridge this summer following his solid loan spell with Bayern Munich. Jackson was a sturdy back-up for Harry Kane, but Bayern ended up passing on keeping him around full-time, likely scared off by what would have been a significant asking price.
With Xabi Alonso now in charge and the head coach having changed twice since his left the club, Jackson could well return and get a fresh opportunity this pre-season. Jackson will return late, although just how late will depend on how Senegal perform at the World Cup.
Still only 24 years of age, Jackson still has a big ceiling ahead of him, and it would be wise for Chelsea to see what they have in the striker without making their mind up based on performances he delivered as a 22 and 23-year-old.
It's also possible he performs very differently in the Alonso system, and it wasn't as if he was poor under Enzo Maresca. Jackson had patches of being electric and patches where he struggled, but it was an ill-conceived notion of him being ill-tempered based on two red cards that saw him ousted, with the English media turning on him quickly.
But all that aside, Chelsea already likely find themselves with too much to do this summer. They need a new starting left-back, a new striker to replace Liam Delap should he leave, a new centre-back to add depth there, potentially a new starting goalkeeper and potentially a world-class midfielder if Fernandez leaves.
Jackson has to be above Delap in the pecking order, and he has to like his chances of being kept around based on the to-do list Chelsea already find themselves with this summer.
Finding one reliable striker is going to be a hard enough job without having to find another should Jackson be allowed to leave, and that's taking away the rest of the business that will likely have to take place. All signs point to the striker getting a chance to impress in summer camp.
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