After another game where he saw just a few paltry minutes, it was inevitable that Monday morning would see another spurt of transfer rumours surrounding the out of favour Christopher Nkunku.
And so it has proved – here’s Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph writing that the attacker is “considering his future at Chelsea” after “failing to secure a first team place.”
The most interesting part of it is the claim that “Chelsea would only listen to offer for Nkunku, whose contract has four years left to run, if they can recoup their transfer fee in full.”
At the time, that fee was reported at €60m, although one would imagine there are many bonuses yet to be fulfilled. Manchester United are named as an interested party, but a change of manager there makes things doubtful.
It would seem tricky to get that full sum back, given since he arrived he’s aged two years, missed one due to injury and then now can’t get into the team in his second.
Nkunku’s prospects of playing look limited, despite immense quality
Nkunku’s prospects of getting into the team at some point have always seemed good. He’s such a quality player, with so much to offer. But currently Nicolas Jackson’s work rate and running in behind is indispensable, and the wingers offer directness that Nkunku doesn’t.
Asked about Nkunku’s form, manager Enzo Maresca made it clear why he was struggling to get into the team:
“He was playing [in preseason] as an attacking midfielder and now we are using him as a nine, which we all know isn’t his position – he’s more a second striker or between the lines.”
By that logic, the most natural player to drop for the France star is Cole Palmer, and that’s just not happening anytime soon. So for now, we expect league minutes to remain minimal, and these sort of transfer rumours to keep growing.
