Signed amidst plenty of excitement from his exploits in Germany playing for RB Leipzig, Christopher Nkunku appears to have fallen by the wayside.
Afforded the benefit of the doubt in his first season after a knee injury kept him out for most part of the season, Nkunku has had no excuse to hide behind this season.
Arguments of Maresca mis-profiling the former PSG man have been thrown out of the window this season after the Italian manager played Nkunku in midfield (central and off the left) and as a false 9 with neither bringing forth his old self.
Nkunku appears to not only have lost a burst of speed but also his confidence in duels as he often shies away from physical contact against defenders.
Now utilised as a deputy for Nicholas Jackson up top, Nkunku’s lackadaisical approach has seen many fans call for his exclusion and sale from the team.
Failing to make the most of his chances after the injury to Nicolas Jackson, the Frenchman has now lost all credibility in the sight of fans with abysmal performances in recent weeks, whether as a false 9 or off the left as an inside forward.
Starting in the place of Jackson today to afford the Senegalese a rest, Nkunku looked disconnected from his teammates as a couple of them (Sanchez and Enzo) could be seen speaking to the former Leipzig man sternly about his positioning and intensity.
The 27-year old failed to make the most of the balls played into him as Chelsea looked to beat an aggressive Brentford press.
Clumsy touches and being too ‘weak’ in the duels saw Nkunku give way for Jackson at the start of the second half.
Nkunku’s issues are not only in possession but off the ball as well.
As attested to by manager Enzo Maresca, the team presses much better when Jackson is on the pitch due to the 23-year old’s intensity off the ball.
The former Villarreal man works tirelessly for the team and makes constant runs beyond the opposition’s defence line, opening up spaces in behind and between the lines for Cole Palmer to operate in.
When played off the left, the struggles of Nkunku remain evident as he barely makes any attempt to track his fullback deep into his own half.
His inability to beat his man 1V1 further compounds the woes of the PSG academy graduate, making him a less than ideal candidate off the left side of attack.
At 27 years of age (The oldest attacker at the club) and an unstable injury record, Christopher Nkunku’s time at Chelsea just might be coming to an end soon.
He hasn’t got much space to improve and with the reports of Chelsea prioritizing a new striker this summer, it would be a miracle if the French international remains a Chelsea player at the start of next season.
