In the wake of yesterday’s draw with Everton, today has been all about two players on the Chelsea front.
One is Tosin Adarabioyo, who has come into the team in recent weeks and done really well. His block from Iliman Ndiaye saved his team a point.
At the other end of the pitch, the Blues toiled in attack and the previously in-form Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer both struggled. Looking to change things up, Enzo Maresca opted to try Christopher Nkunku, but it didn’t make the difference he was looking for.
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Tosin Adarabioyo claps the fans after a win. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Chelsea warmup training.
Christopher Nkunku scores into an empty net.
In fact, given the number of technical creators for playing between the lines already in the squad, it would have been handy to have a different sort of option – maybe Victor Osimhen.
Nkunku’s failure to establish himself at any level beyond the B team is what’s bringing rumours of a departure to the fore. Catalan Sport today have an exclusive which claims that agent Pini Zahavi has offered the Frenchman to Barcelona.
A loan with an option to buy could suit the player and Barcelona – but Chelsea may want to keep such a top player in reserve.
Financial barriers make Barca move unlikely – but not impossible
Christopher Nkunku runs with the ball against Heidenheim. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Christopher Nkunku runs with the ball against Heidenheim. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
As always with Barcelona these days, the obstacle to any deal will be financial more than anything else. They’re in a constant battle to fit within the salary cap, and any sort of move for Nkunku, loan or permanent, seems hard to square with that.
The Sport piece claims Nkunku would consider lowering his wages to make the move happen. Zahavi’s good relations with Barcelona are also supposed to help.
Whether this Barca interest goes further or not, we certainly believe the information that Nkunku has been offered to the Spanish giants, and that indicated he’s probably been offered to other places too.