Nkunku handed shock Chelsea message

Cameron Smith

• 23 Sept 2024 16:30 BST
• 3 min read

Christopher Nkunku has reportedly been told that his future at Chelsea isn’t yet secure.

The France international joined the Blues from RB Leipzig last summer, but he endured an injury-hit debut campaign at Stamford Bridge and was only able to muster 516 minutes of action in all competitions.

The 26-year-old starred in pre-season this summer, but Noni Madueke’s form on the right wing has pushed Cole Palmer into a No.10 role this campaign and Nkunku has dropped to the bench as a result.

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He hasn’t started in the Premier League since Chelsea’s opening day defeat to Manchester City, while Joao Felix’s arrival from Atletico Madrid has pushed Nkunku further down the pecking order.

In fact, Enzo Maresca recently admitted that Nkunku is now vying for a starting berth up front, but with Nicolas Jackson enjoying a purple patch in the final third, the Frenchman has been restricted to cameo appearances as a substitute.

According to TBR Football, Nkunku is one of three Chelsea forwards who have been told they are currently playing for their future at the club.

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Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke have reportedly also suffered this fate, with the trio now eager to prove their worth to the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Although Chelsea are seemingly unconvinced by the attacking trident, all three players are tied down to long-term deals. Nkunku has five years left on his current contract in west London, Madueke has six years and Mudryk has a whopping seven years remaining.

Christopher Nkunku at Chelsea

While Nkunku suffered an underwhelming first season at Chelsea due to injury, his goalscoring record for the Blues is still fairly impressive.

He has notched six goals in all competitions for the club, averaging a strike every 128 minutes since his €60 million move from RB Leipzig.