Today’s press conference ahead of a big game against Newcastle on Sunday saw Enzo Maresca forced to address one of the hot topics in his squad right now. Nicolas Jackson is doing a great job as the lone striker leading the line – but that’s leaving potential star Christopher Nkunku sidelined in the league.
Asked about Jackson’s form, Maresca was happy to praise him richly and explain why he was so perfect and so important for this team.
You can see the manager speaking about Jackson and Nkunku in the clip embedded here:
“He’s doing fantastic with us” 👏
Enzo Maresca says Nicolas Jackson is key to Chelsea’s plans 💪 pic.twitter.com/4nuOfuY1ND
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 25, 2024
“Nico we know very well that he’s very important for us. On the ball he is working fantastically well, he’s scoring goals, he’s assisting, he’s linking with his teammates. And off the ball he’s working hard, he’s pressing in the way we want to press and he’s doing fantastic with us,” the coach said.
Then he gets on to the tricky part – how do you praise Jackson and his impact without making Nkunku feel like he’s not going to get a chance?
“As you said we also have Christopher Nkunku there, but he is going to help us because the season is long and there are so many games, and also sometimes the game plan can be different, it can be more for Christo than Nico.”
Nkunku is too good a player to be satisfied with just Conference League kick abouts. Maresca knows that sooner or later he will et a knock on his door – but for as long as the team are winning and doing well, there’s only so much the Frenchman can complain.
It’s a delicate balance that Maresca needs to strike – but having too many good players is certainly better than the alternative. Injuries and suspensions will start to pile up soon, and Nkunku will get his chances.
