Nicolas Jackson returns to Säbener Strasse with the gold medal around his neck – but a tricky phase is now beginning for him in sporting terms. On Sunday, the 24-year-old was crowned winner of the Africa Cup with Senegal. In the final, the team led by Bayern loan player and former Munich player Sadio Mané beat hosts Morocco 1-0. For Jackson, it is the biggest title of his career to date. At FC Bayern, however, his future is more than ever under scrutiny
Jackson moved to Munich on loan from Chelsea FC on the last day of the summer transfer window – with great expectations, but also a clearly defined role. He missed four weeks with Bayern due to the tournament in Africa, now he returns as a champion. But while he is at his peak with the national team, his situation at the German record champions is anything but stable
Good numbers, but no breakthrough
In purely statistical terms, Jackson’s Bayern record to date reads well. In twelve Bundesliga appearances, the attacking player has scored three goals, while in the Champions League he has contributed four points in five games. Nevertheless, he has fallen short of internal expectations. At crucial moments, the attacker has too often lacked consistency, penetration and naturalness – qualities that are absolutely essential in this position at FC Bayern
Added to this is the sporting development of the squad. Jamal Musiala recently celebrated his comeback and is now being built up again step by step. Lennart Karl has developed into a high-flyer, Serge Gnabry is set. In this hierarchy, Jackson is currently only the fourth option for the attacking positions behind the front line. A role that hardly does justice to his own perception and ambition
The second half of the season will be a test
According to kicker, Jackson’s performance in the second half of the season will be monitored very closely. Internally, it is clear that the Senegalese must promote himself – with performances, not with advance praise. The coming weeks could therefore point the way forward. If Jackson manages to play his way into the spotlight despite strong competition, the assessment could shift once again
At the moment, however, there are many indications that he will leave the club. According to reports at the head office, there is a clear tendency not to exercise the purchase option anchored in the loan contract in the summer. And that even if the transfer fee were to fall below the agreed €65 million. A clear signal of how high the hurdles for a permanent stay are now
Title winner, but not a fixture
Although the Africa Cup triumph underlines Jackson’s qualities and mentality, it does nothing to change the sober assessment in Munich. At FC Bayern, titles count – but above all those won in the red jersey. Jackson now has the chance to take new confidence with him as a newly crowned African champion and reposition himself in the Bayern structure
It remains to be seen whether he will succeed, but one thing is clear: the second half of the season will be the most important phase of Jackson’s time at Bayern so far. If he fails to make a breakthrough, his path will probably lead him away from the Isar again in the summer.