Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is subject to interest from Barcelona ahead of the January transfer window.
Reports last week claimed that Nkunku is ready to leave the Blues next month, probably due to his lack of involvement in the Premier League.
The Frenchman has featured in 16 of the West London club’s 17 league games this season but that includes just two starts.
It’s no surprise that Nkunku’s agent is now considering the player’s options, especially with Barcelona thought to be one of them.
Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku and Shamrock Rovers' Gary O'Neill during the Europa Conference League League Stage match between Chelsea and Shamrock ...
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Chelsea should cash in on Christopher Nkunku amid Barcelona interest
Nkunku finds himself in a predicament at Stamford Bridge that he’s highly unlikely to get out of anytime soon.
Despite providing five goals and three assists in five UEFA Conference League group phase matches, he remains behind Nicolas Jackson in the ‘number nine’ pecking order.
Nkunku is perhaps more technically gifted but lacks the pace and power Jackson demonstrated with his second goal against Brentford.
The former RB Leipzig star can also play as an attacking midfielder but Chelsea’s best player (Cole Palmer) has already nailed down that position.
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The Blues also have plenty of depth in wide areas – albeit Nkunku isn’t overly effective as a winger anyway – so he really doesn’t have a way into Enzo Maresca’s starting eleven.
Maresca would surely love to keep the 27-year-old as a backup but it seems he’s not happy with that, meaning the only reasonable solution is to let him go.
And, going off one player’s recent performances, Chelsea can afford to do so without any issues.
Marc Guiu of Chelsea goal celebration after scoring to complete his hat trick during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match betw...
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Ex-Barcelona striker Marc Guiu can replace Christopher Nkunku
Chelsea’s transfer activity has been heavily criticised in recent seasons but one undoubtedly shrewd move was the £5 million signing of Marc Guiu.
Guiu is only 18 years old but already looks the part in Chelsea blue. He scored his first goal for the club in the 8-0 Conference League win against Noah in October.
However, the last two performances give the most reason to be optimistic about the La Masia graduate. The striker netted twice against Astana and followed that up with a hat-trick against Shamrock Rovers.
His confidence and finishing have already improved since making the move to West London, while his work rate and pressing have consistently impressed.
Of course, it would be too much to suggest that he can compete with Jackson for the first-choice striker position. But could he replace Nkunku as the primary backup? Absolutely.
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