Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has hit out at Chelsea’s decision to allow Nicolas Jackson to join Bayern Munich on loan, insisting the move could backfire badly on the Blues.

Chelsea agreed to send Jackson on a season-long loan to the Bundesliga champions with an option for Bayern to buy him next summer for over £56 million.

However, recent reports suggest Bayern are unlikely to trigger that clause and are already searching for a new backup striker to Harry Kane.

Merson believes the decision exposes Chelsea’s lack of attacking depth and questions the logic behind letting one of their few proven forwards leave.

“Marc Guiu wasn’t up to the task against Sunderland,” said Merson.

“To only touch the ball nine or 10 times when you are playing for a dominant team, that’s not good enough.

“Joao Pedro is also not training much as he manages an injury. It leaves Chelsea short, and I think it shows that squad is not as great as everyone makes out.”