Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has done his best to give the majority of his very big squad game time this season.
In the Conference League, for example, Enzo Maresca has been using a completely different XI to what he has been fielding in the Premier League.
It has given the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Filip Jorgensen a chance to shine.
However, you cannot help but feel that at least one of those players could be used a bit more in the second half of Chelsea‘s season.
Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at St Mary's Stadium on December 04, 2024 in So...
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Christopher Nkunku could be like a new signing
With the January transfer window about to open, Chelsea could be tempted to sign a new striker.
Since the campaign started, the Blues have been linked with a host of names, including Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap. In fact, it has already been claimed that Chelsea have started work on a deal for Delap.
Of course, that is likely to be for the summer. Ipswich will not want to sell their star striker in the middle of a relegation battle. That could be good news for Nkunku, who will be hoping for more starts in the second stage of the campaign.
In Chelsea’s first 10 games of the Premier League season, Nkunku only made one start, which came all the way back in August against Manchester City.
Chelsea’s first 10 Premier League fixtures Christopher Nkunku’s minutes played Goals scored
Manchester City 58 0
Wolverhampton Wanderers 7 0
Crystal Palace 4 0
Bournemouth 11 1
West Ham United 26 0
Brighton & Hove Albion 11 0
Nottingham Forest 9 0
Liverpool 14 0
Newcastle United 12 0
Manchester United 0 0
Total 152 1
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The forward did not get his next start until gameweek 14, a 5-1 win against Southampton in which he managed to score in.
It was a match where Nkunku showed that all he needs at times is one chance to punish the opposition. He has quality and if Maresca utilises a goalscorer like him more often, then that is going to help Chelsea massively in the title race. He could almost be a new signing for the squad.
What Enzo Maresca thinks about Christopher Nkunku
The form of Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer is the reason behind Nkunku’s lack of starts in the Premier League under Maresca.
Nevertheless, the Chelsea head coach still appears to appreciate the former RB Leipzig star.
When Maresca spoke to Chelsea’s official website and other media outlets about Nkunku during pre-season, he said: “I loved him before I joined this club. In the way we want to play, he is the ideal player.”
There has been talk about PSG being interested in Nkunku. But while he remains at Stamford Bridge, Maresca may as well utilise a player of his calibre.
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