Chelsea superstar tipped for January exit

Cameron Smith

• 25 Oct 2024 09:00 BST
• 4 min read

Glenn Hoddle believes Christopher Nkunku could push to leave Chelsea during the January transfer window due to his lack of Premier League action so far this season.

The France international has already netted eight goals in 13 appearances across all competitions this campaign, but he hasn’t started a league game since Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City back in mid-August.

New boss Enzo Maresca has preferred Senegal star Nicolas Jackson through the middle, with Nkunku currently forced to settle for a role as Chelsea’s cup striker.

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The 26-year-old joined the Blues from RB Leipzig for €60 million last summer, but he endured an injury-hit debut campaign at Stamford Bridge and he has already been linked with an exit amid reports of a potential return to Paris Saint-Germain.

Furthermore, Hoddle believes that Nkunku could push to leave Chelsea when the January transfer window opens.

“The injuries are obviously there, he [Nkunku] knows he’s not quite at his sharpest yet,” Hoddle told TNT Sports ahead of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League clash against Panathinaikos on Thursday evening.

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“When I look at Chelsea’s forwards, I think Nkunku would be more clinical than Nicolas Jackson if he had the same time on the pitch and had his chances so far this season.

“Jackson is obviously improving and getting more confident, he has the manager’s faith and backing right now.

“Whether Nkunku is going to be happy… he might be one that will think he needs to leave come January if this is still happening.”

Christopher Nkunku vs Nicolas Jackson

Following Nkunku’s hat-trick against Barrow in the Carabao Cup back in September, Maresca was asked whether the Frenchman would usurp Jackson in the pecking order at Chelsea.

“They're both doing fantastic,” he replied. “Not only because they score, but because they work off the ball. The way they sacrifice for the team. This is very important for them.

“This is a nice problem when you have two strikers that continue to score. It's nice you can decide which one and because they are in a good moment we can use them.”