Bayern Munich continued their winning run on Wednesday evening by clinching a 4-1 win away at FC Koln in the DFB Pokal. The hosts took the lead, but Bayern quickly bounced back to score four goals to book a place in the third round.
Luis Diaz, Harry Kane, and Michael Olise were on the scoresheet for Bayern against Koln. Vincent Kompany has managed to get the best out of a small squad this season. They have been scoring for fun and defending with real purpose.
Kane has been the pick of the lot in the attack for Bayern, but almost every player has shone under Kompany this campaign. Nicolas Jackson is potentially one of the few players who have endured a lukewarm start to the campaign, which is understandable since he arrived in Munich late in the summer.
Considering the monumental loan fee Bayern have paid for Jackson, there was bound to be criticism about his slow start to life in Bavaria. While talking to the media this week (via ESPN), Kompany defended Jackson and insisted that the Senegalese forward has done well for Die Roten despite lower productivity in the final third.
"I have a different opinion of Nicolas Jackson than the public, but obviously when he scores a few more goals there won't be a debate anymore. I'm of the opinion that he's already helped a lot."Vincent Kompany on Nicolas Jackson
Jackson has scored two goals in nine appearances for Bayern. These two goals have come in the Champions League. He has to wait patiently for getting starts since Harry Kane has been in sensational form this campaign.
Kompany has also paired Jackson and Kane together in a slightly tweaked 4-2-3-1 in a couple of games this season. The Senegalese forward has led the line, while Kane has played just behind him.
Nicolas Jackson needs goal to seal permanent move to Bayern
There are several reasons behind Jackson’s slow start in Munich. He had no pre-season since Chelsea had put him in the bomb squad. The former Villarreal forward joined Bayern on deadline day. He needs time to get used to a new country, a new system, and new teammates before showing his best qualities.
Jackson’s slow start to the season is understandable. However, he needs to get back to his best sooner rather than later to clinch a permanent move to Munich. Bayern’s option to buy will become an obligation if he meets difficult targets in terms of appearances and achievements.
It does look like Jackson doesn’t have a future at Chelsea. The Senegalese faces a big eight months ahead of him to ensure a permanent move to Bavaria is sealed in the next summer transfer window.