Enzo Maresca is thankful for Nicolas Jackson's efforts and has no concerns over facing the on-loan striker when Chelsea visit Bayern Munich.

Jackson faces a peculiar situation where he could take on his parent club on Wednesday, as the two European heavyweights meet for an enticing Champions League opener at the Allianz Arena.

The Senegal striker made his Bayern debut with a 45-minute cameo in Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Hamburg, and will likely be named on the bench again behind Harry Kane for Chelsea's visit.

Jackson almost ended up staying at the Premier League side after an on-off transfer saga, though his eventual move leaves Maresca preparing to go up against one of his players.

"I said the other day I’m grateful, thankful to Nico," he said. "If we achieved what we achieved last year, it’s because all the players, including Nicolas, that was with us.

"I text him after he left the club, telling him thanks for last season, wishing him all the best. Nico is a good guy. With us, [he] was good, working well."

Jackson scored 30 goals in 81 games across all competitions for Chelsea after joining them from Villarreal in 2023.

However, the arrival of Joao Pedro from Brighton pushed him down the pecking order, and he was granted his loan exit, with the deal containing a purchase clause, when Marc Guiu was recalled from Sunderland to cover for Liam Delap's injury.

"Because we bought two strikers, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro," Maresca said when asked why Jackson was loaned out. "I think with two strikers it’s a good number, it’s enough. This is the reason why."

Maresca explained his experience in Italy and Spain makes potentially facing Jackson "normal", though Bayern boss Vincent Kompany put greater importance on the occasion.

"It'll certainly be a special game for him; there's no doubt about that," Kompany said.

"My wish is that he scores a lot of goals for us. I think he'll achieve that. But he doesn't have the pressure from me. Our team is a good team, a good group. He has to be a part of it, and he can help us a lot.

"You can look at it both ways. You can be on the side where you think, do you want one of your ex-players to play against you straight away?

"Does he get a chance to do something as well? The point you mentioned is a fair point. I don't think it's black or white. It can go both ways."

Kane will remain as Kompany's first-choice option, but the striker acknowledged a meeting with Chelsea could inspire Jackson to perform.

"If he plays tomorrow, he'll be eager to impress," the England captain added. "But I don't want to put too much pressure on him too soon. He knows he's working his way into the team and the way we like to play."