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An visit to the Allianz Arena stirs fond memories for Chelsea, harking back to their legendary 2012 UCL victory. Yet this match presents a new dynamic: a confrontation with Nicolas Jackson, a player eager to show that his former club were wrong in sending him out on loan.

Drive Runs High for The Loanee

It's possible Chelsea’s manager might be nervous if the Blues have to face their former striker when they start their Champions League campaign against Bayern Munich. One can find numerous instances of loanees returning to trouble their former team in European competition, and the forward will have no lack of drive if he plays against Chelsea only a few weeks after moving away.

An Agreement Full of Drama

The attacker has a point to prove, especially after the drama around his transfer. Everything appeared simple when the player traveled to Germany on the morning of. Bayern had reached an agreement to sign him on a temporary move with an option to make it permanent, only for the circumstances to shift when a Chelsea striker picked up a hamstring injury hours. The agreement was off. Delap’s injury was long-term, and the club did not want to risk on heading into a packed autumn schedule with just a single fit forward.

Yet Jackson had little desire in returning to serve as support to João Pedro. He remained in Bavaria and was rewarded for his persistence when fresh talks ended with Bayern finalizing a deal for him, with a €65m requirement to buy that will be triggered if he meets a certain number of appearances.

Reason Prevailed

Chelsea had not much benefit from forcing an unsettled player, particularly after earlier making clear they were happy to sell. The forward would not have been in a ideal frame of mind if he had returned to Stamford Bridge. The signs were far from encouraging during the Club World Cup. A reckless red card moments after being substituted on during Chelsea’s loss by Flamengo was suggestive of his frustration.

It was not a surprise that Maresca’s tolerance ran out after Jackson’s another sending-off in three games. The question, though, is whether they have left themselves short. Marc Guiu, brought back from a short loan at Sunderland, was not on the bench for the draw at their last match. His departure creates a void with Delap out. The forward, brought in from Villarreal two years ago, was far from a failure. His finishing was erratic but he netted two dozen strikes in 65 top-flight games, linked up well with a key playmaker, and was frequently a challenge for centre-backs. The ideal striker is exactly Nicolas Jackson,” Maresca said in April.

The Bayern Boss Also An Admirer

It soon transpired that Bayern’s manager was likewise a admirer. The German champions wanted backup for Harry Kane and have secured a flexible alternative. Jackson is able to shifting wide and played with the England captain when he made his debut as a second-half substitute against a Bundesliga side recently.

Sharpening his accuracy is the clear target for the 24-year-old. Ideally, he can pay close attention from the prolific forward in practice. Bayern, in turn, are hoping to tap into Jackson’s familiarity of Chelsea. There has also been talk in the German media of Kompany requesting the player for tips about the Chelsea boss’s system and instructions.

A Fixture With an Edge

It shapes up as a fixture full of narrative. The Blues’ return to the Champions League after a 24-month absence brings them back to the ground where they claimed it for the very first time, stirring memories of that famous 2012 triumph over Bayern in Munich. Maresca’s squad need not feel an lack of belief. A previous Chelsea were outclassed when they met a previous team in the last 16 five years ago, but Maresca’s team travel to Germany as world champions and have spent significantly in their promising squad.

Fascinating Strategic Battle Looms

It promises to be an fascinating strategic duel between two Pep Guardiola protégés. One could easily imagine if Maresca employs the system that troubled PSG in the Club World Cup final, with Palmer pushing to the right flank and the captain linking up with Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo in a dominant engine room. Will Kompany adapt? Kompany claimed the league in his first season at the club but has his doubters in England. Burnley’s sorry Premier League season under Kompany is not easily forgotten, though it is important to note that the former Manchester City player has supporters at Stamford Bridge. They have on two occasions thought about hiring him: first when they dismissed a previous manager, then when they were looking to succeed another coach and ultimately going for the current boss.

A key worry around the manager, who signed for Bayern a seven days before Chelsea appointed Maresca, was whether he was tactically versatile enough. Bayern have had no such issues. They scored ninety-nine league goals last season and will throw a diverse offense at Chelsea. The Colombian winger, a ex- Liverpool player, is a familiar danger. The French midfielder, who will challenge Marc Cucurella on the right, is another of the game’s subplots.

Olise: One Who Got Away

Olise has had to persevere since leaving the club’s youth system when he was a teenager. His path has not been easy but the 23-year-old has matured and could easily have landed back at Stamford Bridge. The club tried to trigger his release clause at Crystal Palace in last year and were pipped to his signature by the Germans a after that.

The talented wide man is one who got away. He has excelled at Bayern, providing strikes, assists and dazzling trickery. The Blues will have to be at their sharpest. Kompany, Jackson and the winger will be determined to prove them what they let go.