- 7 hours ago
Why Chelsea MUST sell Christopher Nkunku in 2025
Cameron Smith
- 15 Nov 2024 19:30 GMT
- 4 min read
The signing of Christopher Nkunku in 2023 was widely lauded amongst Chelsea supporters and the Frenchman was viewed as the perfect player to elevate the Blues to the next level.
After all, they had endured a dismal campaign under a mixture of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, plus a game under Bruno Saltor, and Nkunku was well on his way to becoming a superstar.
The Paris Saint-Germain academy product had notched 70 goals and 56 assists in 172 appearances for RB Leipzig, and he had starred in multiple different roles, including as a centre-forward, a creative number 10 and even as a box-to-box midfielder.
READ MORE: Chelsea missed out on 'top secret' transfer - Romano
His versatility and immense skillset were viewed as pivotal qualities to help Chelsea re-establish themselves as a European giant, and he was expected to become a household name at Stamford Bridge.
However, 18 months later, Nkunku’s career in west London is still yet to take off.
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 Enzo Maresca.
He’s at a crossroads in his career and the best course of action for all parties appears to be a sale in 2025.
EXCLUSIVE: Crystal Palace eye perfect January deal for Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk
Why Chelsea should sell Christopher Nkunku
There’s no doubt that Nkunku is one of the best attackers in Europe, of course, but Chelsea are no longer in a rut and although their transfer business has been widely mocked, the Frenchman now finds himself on the fringes.
Nicolas Jackson has developed into one of the best strikers in the Premier League and Cole Palmer is arguably one of the best players in world football based on current form.
As a result, where does Nkunku play? Well, at the moment, he’s a bench option in the English top flight and has been limited to minutes in cup competitions.
However, with Chelsea unlikely to be in the Europa Conference League again next season, is Nkunku needed at Stamford Bridge?
Current ETV
Christopher Nkunku
F (C), M (CL)
Chelsea
Christopher Nkunku
F (C), M (CL)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€22.9M - €38.2M
Marc Guiu could easily scoop up cup minutes during the 2025-26 campaign, while academy starlet Shim Mhueka looks like he could be a future England international and Victor Osimhen remains a transfer target.
In addition, Joao Felix is capable of being Palmer’s back-up in the No.10 role and Kendry Paez’s arrival next summer will add yet more depth in attacking midfield.
Ultimately, Nkunku may become surplus to requirements within the next 12 months. That seems crazy to say, considering Chelsea haven’t won a domestic trophy since 2018 and Nkunku is an elite talent, but it’s true.
STATS
Christopher Nkunku
F (C), M (CL)
Chelsea
Christopher Nkunku
F (C), M (CL)
Chelsea
Furthermore, the France international is now 27 years old and if Chelsea wait until 2026, and he continues to play a rotation role, his value may well depreciate quickly.
With Manchester United firmly interested in a move and a return to PSG also a possibility, it may be time for Chelsea to sell Nkunku and reinvest in other areas of their first-team squad.
