Christopher Nkunku has recently been linked with the Stamford Bridge exit door.
Recent reports have suggested that the Chelsea forward could soon be on his way back to his boyhood club Paris Saint Germain, who are understood to be monitoring his situation amid what's been a tough start to life in West London for the player.
Nkunku joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023, but spent the majority of his first season sidelined with injury.
This term, despite being fit and, when given the chance, scoring goals, he finds himself unable to break into Enzo Maresca's first-team, with the Italian boss preferring to play Nicolas Jackson up-top in the Premier League.
Nkunku himself was recently asked about rumours linking him with a return to PSG, and his response won't have been music to the ears of Chelsea fans.
“PSG remains a big club, but there has not been one approach," he said.
How quite to interpret Nkunku's answer is difficult. Perhaps he was saying to PSG: "Come and get me." Or perhaps he was sending a vague threat to Maresca: "Play me or lose me."
Perhaps he was just simply trying to dismiss the rumours and things have been lost in translation.
Regardless of how he meant it however – one thing is for certain: Chelsea simply cannot let Christopher Nkunku leave.
Here's why.
Nkunku is a great player
It's easy to see why Maresca is playing Jackson. He's so integral to the way the Blues play under the Italian – linking up the play wonderfully with his fellow attackers while also providing a potent threat on goal when running in-behind.
Nkunku's style of play may differ slightly – he's less about big open spaces and more about intricate moves in-and-around the penalty box – but he does it well, and, more importantly, he does it effectively.
The Frenchman, despite having only started one Premier League game, is still Chelsea's joint top goalscorer this season with seven in all competitions.
One of those goals has come in the top flight, while the other six have come in just four games in both the EFL Cup and Europa Conference League.
Without his contributions, Chelsea would be faring far worse this term.
Letting Nkunku go will leave Chelsea short
If Chelsea did let Nkunku go, they'd be left with only one experienced striker on their books in the form of Jackson.
Should the Senegalese star be unavailable (most likely through a suspension given his propensity for picking up bookings), it's really only Marc Guiu who the Blues could then turn to.
Guiu, who signed from FC Barcelona in the summer, is just 18 years old.
While he no doubt has a big future ahead of him – as demonstrated by his excellent perfomances in pre-season – he's not a player for the now.
Nkunku's departure could spark an exodus
At the minute, the feeling in the Chelsea camp is one of overwhelming positivity.
There were doubts at the start of the season as to how Maresca would keep everyone happy in such a big squad, but thus far, he's done a terrific job.
The players all seem content. Even if they're not playing, they're watching from the sidelines, and when the final whistle goes, they're going on the pitch to celebrate with those that featured.
Really, it's heartwarming to see.
However, while things might seem great on the face of it, there is no doubting that some players who aren't getting minutes will be frustrated – especially those who possess the quality of Nkunku.
The longer that goes on, the more that frustration will grow, and when someone – in this case Nkunku – eventually decides enough is enough, kicks up a fuss, and leaves, don't be surprised if others in similar situations then follow suit. When that happens, instead of one big, happy family, Chelsea will find themselves a disjointed group of strangers.
Maresca, let Nkunku go at your own peril.
Watch Everything Chelsea TV's analysis on the Nkunku to PSG saga below:
Comments