January 9th 2025.
Enzo Maresca, the manager of Chelsea, is facing a challenge in giving enough playing time to one of his players, Christopher Nkunku, who was once a part of Chelsea's team. Nkunku, a forward for Chelsea, has been advised to consider his future at Stamford Bridge due to his lack of consistent playing time under Maresca's leadership.
There were high expectations for Nkunku when he joined the club in 2023, after scoring an impressive 58 goals in his final two seasons at RB Leipzig. However, his first season with Chelsea was plagued by injuries, which resulted in him only making 14 appearances in all competitions. Now that he is back from injury, the 27-year-old has struggled to secure a spot in the starting lineup, having only started in three league games under Maresca.
Although Nkunku has been given opportunities to play in cup competitions, the lack of regular minutes in the Premier League has led him to contemplate his future. Reports have linked Barcelona and Manchester United with interest in the forward, and Jason Cundy believes that Nkunku should seriously consider a fresh start if a transfer bid comes in this month. "What is Nkunku's best position? Who is this player?" Cundy questioned, highlighting the confusion surrounding Nkunku's role in Maresca's team.
Cundy believes that Nkunku's versatility as a player has been a disadvantage for him, as he is not a typical number nine striker and is unable to play as a number ten. Instead, Cundy urges Maresca to give more opportunities to young striker Marc Guiu, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona in the summer and has already scored six goals in this season's Conference League. "The whole role of number nine has been left to Jackson this season, and Nkunku doesn't fit that job when given the chance," Cundy explained.
In contrast to Nkunku, Cundy sees potential in Guiu and believes he is a better fit for the Jackson role. "He works hard, he's quick, and he gets his goals," Cundy said of Guiu. He also mentioned that Guiu's age should not be a factor, as he has already proven himself in the Conference League. Ultimately, Cundy feels that Nkunku may have to consider his future at Chelsea if Maresca continues to overlook him for playing time.
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