‘No role for him’ – Chelsea flop told to consider January transfer window exit | Football
Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has been urged to consider his future at Stamford Bridge as he continues to struggle for minutes in Enzo Maresca’s side.
Much was expected of Nkunku, who joined the club in the summer of 2023 having scored 58 goals across his final two seasons at RB Leipzig.
But an injury-affected first season saw the French international make just 14 appearances in all competitions last campaign.
Back fit, the 27-year-old has still found it difficult to break into the first team this season, however, and has started just three league games under Maresca.
Nkunku has still been relied upon frequently in cup competitions but the lack of regular minutes in the Premier League has the Frenchman considering his future.
Both Barcelona and Manchester United have been credited with interest in the forward and Jason Cundy believes that Nkunku should seriously consider a fresh start if a transfer bid comes in for him this month.
‘What is Nkunku? What is his best position? Who is this player?’ the former Chelsea defender told talkSPORT when asked about Nkunku’s role in Maresca’s side.
‘He’s a ten for me, he can play out on the left and be a body for 15 to 20 minutes at the end of games.
‘But he isn’t a number nine and he and (Nicolas) Jackon are two totally different strikers and so Chelsea have two totally different attacks and two totally different set-ups with the wide men and Palmer.
‘I feel for Nkunku because he’s caught between two positions. He’s not a number nine and he can’t play ten so where is his best role?
‘The whole role of number nine has been left down to Jackson this season and Nkunku doesn’t do that job when he’s given the chance.
‘I think he will probably have to think about his future at the club because there is no role for him in this system and Maresca has no place for him. He’s using him because he feels like he has to.’
Rather than Nkunku, Cundy instead urged Maresca to continue to give more minutes to young striker Marc Guiu who arrived from Barcelona in the summer and already has six goals in this season’s Conference League.
‘Whatever you think of Guiu’s age, we’ve seen a lot of him in the Conference League and there’s something in him,’ Cundy added.
‘He works hard, he’s quick and he gets his goals.
‘The reason he now comes on instead of Nkunku is because he’s a better fit for that Jackson role – Nkunku is not that player I’m afraid.’
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