Enzo Maresca has publicly backed one of his struggling Chelsea stars following the Blues’ 3-0 win against Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
Maresca made a host of changes to his first XI, which saw the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Filip Jorgensen and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all start.
Dewsbury-Hall has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer. In fact, it has been claimed that Dewsbury-Hall could be offered to Brighton & Hove Albion as Chelsea look to sign Joao Pedro.
There is also a lot of doubt surrounding the future of Nkunku, who is the subject of interest from Manchester United.
Enzo Maresca, Head Coach of Chelsea FC, looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group D match between Esperance de Tunis and Chelsea FC
Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca confident Christopher Nkunku can help Chelsea next season
Despite speculation linking Nkunku with a move to Old Trafford, Maresca still decided to start the forward against ES Tunis.
And for the Chelsea head coach, Nkunku still has a future, though he did not rule out the possibility of an exit.
In his post-match interview, which has been shared by The Standard, Maresca said: “If Christo is here with us, it is because we think he can help us and he can be with us even next season. But as you said, there are many speculations, not just about Christo, about many players.
“And then if something is going to happen, I don’t know because we said many times when the transfer window is open, anything can happen in terms of players that can arrive or players that can leave.”
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While Nkunku could be departing Chelsea for United in this transfer window, Alejandro Garnacho may end up doing the exact opposite.
Chelsea are interested in Garnacho and Jamie Gittens as they look to strengthen out wide. The Blues recently lost Jadon Sancho, who has returned to Garnacho’s current club, and are without Mykhailo Mudryk indefinitely.
Chelsea's French striker #18 Christopher Nkunku (front) and Esperance's Tunisian midfielder #04 Mohamed Wael Derbali fight for the ball
Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea fans give verdict on potential Nkunku-Garnacho swap
Chelsea supporters have been discussing Nkunku and Garnacho, with plenty not against the former joining Ruben Amorim’s side if the latter heads in the opposite direction.
Garnacho‘s attitude has been questioned on more than one occasion this year, but he is a wide man with a lot of technical skill and quality.
With Chelsea needing a winger or two, snapping him up makes a lot of sense, even at the expense of losing Nkunku to a rival. The Frenchman has not done much since arriving at the club, partly because of injuries, so some fans will not be disappointed to see him go.