There is growing debate around Cole Palmer’s recent performances, but a closer look suggests the Chelsea forward is missing more than just form he is missing Nicolas Jackson.
Many will argue that Jackson needed Palmer, but statistics and match patterns show the relationship worked both ways. When the two played together, Palmer benefited just as much as Jackson did, with their movement and understanding opening up space and creating attacking rhythm.
Softfootball previously reported that Nicolas Jackson left Chelsea to join Bayern Munich on 1 September 2025. The deal was completed as a season-long loan for the 2025–26 season, with an obligation to buy in the summer of 2026 for a reported fee of £56.25 million (€65 million), plus a loan fee of approximately £14.25 million (€16.5 million).
During their time together at Chelsea, Jackson consistently made runs that stretched defenses, creating openings for Palmer to exploit. Since Palmer’s return from injury, that dynamic has been missing. Observations from recent matches show Palmer often receiving the ball, placing his foot on it, and finding limited movement ahead of him.
João Pedro frequently drops toward the ball instead of running beyond the defense, leaving Palmer with fewer forward options and less space to operate. Without Jackson’s constant off-the-ball movement, Chelsea’s attack appears static, and Palmer’s influence has noticeably reduced.
The evidence suggests that Jackson made Palmer better — and Palmer made Jackson better. Their separation has left a clear tactical void that Chelsea are still struggling to fill.
