Nkunku tells Maresca: Play me or sell me to Man Utd

Carlo Garganese

• 19 Nov 2024 10:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Christopher Nkunku has made it clear to Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca that unless he starts playing him regularly in the biggest matches, he will push to leave the club in January.

Nkunku has had a difficult time at Chelsea since his €62 million move from Leipzig in the summer of 2023.

Injury issues limited him to just 14 appearances during his debut campaign (only two starts) and while he has enjoyed a prolific start to the new season, Nkunku isn’t a key player under Maresca and has mainly featured in the minor cup competitions.

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Although he has scored 10 goals in all competitions, only one of these has been in the Premier League. Six have been in the Europa League and three in the League Cup against mostly sub-standard opponents.

Indeed, Nkunku has started just once in league football this season and is increasingly frustrated by his position in the Chelsea pecking order.

Despite reports from Ben Jacobs and others that Nkunku is content at Stamford Bridge, Football Insider report that he has made it clear that he expects to play regularly in the next six weeks ahead of the January transfer market.

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If not, he will push for a transfer out of Stamford Bridge in January with Man Utd keen on signing him.

Man Utd want Nkunku

The French media outlet reported last week that Man Utd are planning a January move for Chelsea benchwarmer Nkunku.

New Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim feels that Nkunku is the perfect inside forward for his 3-4-3 formation, and the Frenchman is keen on the move as he struggles to be a starter at Stamford Bridge.

Nkunku impressed during the recent international break for France, starting during the 3-1 win for Les Bleus over Italy at San Siro.

That result meant that a France side missing Kylian Mbappe, Theo Hernandez and other important players finished top of their UEFA Nations League group ahead of Italy.