Christopher Nkunku was supposed to be the key attacking piece for this new look Chelsea team, but injuries last year and the rise of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson have reduced him to a bit part player in the main.
The attacker can’t have had too many complaints about sitting on the bench during league games because the team is doing so well. But eventually even he will hit his limit, and according to TBR Football, a departure may come as soon as January.
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Tosin Adarabioyo claps the fans after a win. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Chelsea warmup training.
Napoli, PSG and clubs in Germany are all apparently interested in taking the Frenchman on loan or buying him outright if Chelsea are willing to do business at a reasonable price. Manger Enzo Maresca’s words about him hardly make it sound like he’s counted on to eventually be a key player for this team:
“I don’t think Nkunku is a striker,” Maresca said in his presser earlier this week.
“His best position is number 10. In January, we will decide. There are some players who may not be happy and may want to leave.”
Chelsea surely tempted by changing striker profile
Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson in a montage.
Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson in a montage.
Yesterday’s draw with Everton saw Nkunku come on in the second half to try and help his team get a goal. But the 27 year old wasn’t really able to affect the game. We have so many clever, technical creators between the lines, but actually what we needed was more of a battering ram. An Nkunku sale seems mad and hard to make happen – but would it actually make a lot of sense to ship him off and bring in (say) Victor Osimhen, if you can make the numbers square off?
Having a backup striker with such a different profile to your first choice has its benefits, but also its issues.