Chelsea risk FORCING OUT frustrated Nkunku

Tom Weber

• Updated: 9 Nov 2024 12:21 GMT
• 3 min read

Christopher Nkunku is frustrated with his role at Chelsea and may have no choice but to push for a move next summer, according to a report.

After a rotten debut campaign disrupted by injury, Nkunku has been in good form for the Blues so far this season. The Frenchman has netted 10 goals in 16 appearances across all competitions and he scored his first-ever goal for his country during the last international break.

French media waxed lyrical about the 26-year-old last month, describing him as a potential heir to Antoine Griezmann for Les Bleus, but at Stamford Bridge, the mood isn't quite as buoyant.

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Despite regularly being in the goals, Nkunku is only a member of Chelsea's 'B Squad,' though head coach Enzo Maresca insists that there is no such thing. It is clear, however, that the Italian has a squad for the Premier League and one for other competitions.

Indeed, Nkuku has played a measly 152 minutes in the league this term, spread across nine appearances. By comparison, he has played more minutes (220) in just three Conference League games.

Nkunku frustrated

And it is precisely this state of affairs that is frustrating the versatile forward. Nkunku feels as though he should be getting more playing time against elite opposition rather than just opponents in the Conference League, who Chelsea are expected to beat nine times out of ten.

According to Sky Germany, the former RB Leipzig star is determined to fight for his place, but there is an acceptance that he will have to move on if things don't improve until the end of the season.

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An exit in the winter is highly unlikely, but a summer move could be on the cards should Maresca fail to find a way to get him into the team on a regular basis. The coach is aware of Nkunku's frustration.

He admitted earlier this week: "I feel shame for Christo because I said before, in pre-season, he was probably our best player, playing I think in his position but because we need also to adapt players, we start to move him as a striker; knowing he is not a No.9, knowing that.

"But to find balance, sometimes we try that. Christo is similar to Joao [Felix]. If they continue to work in the same way then for sure they are going to get minutes in the Premier League or in different competitions."