Enzo Maresca addresses Christopher Nkunku's playing time concerns
- Christopher Nkunku has faced limited playing time at Chelsea due to injury and competition for positions.
- Enzo Maresca denied rumors regarding Nkunku's unhappiness at the club during a press conference.
- Maresca assured that Nkunku will receive more game time in the upcoming month.
In the United Kingdom, Chelsea Football Club's head coach Enzo Maresca recently spoke about the situation regarding striker Christopher Nkunku. Nkunku, who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023 from RB Leipzig for a fee of £52 million, has had a challenging start to his career in the Premier League. After suffering from injuries, he has incurred limited playing time, featuring in only 11 matches with just one being a start this season. This lack of game time has led to speculation about his happiness at the club. Maresca addressed these rumors during a pre-match press conference ahead of the Europa Conference League fixture against Heidenheim, which took place on Thursday. He affirmed that Nkunku is not unhappy at Chelsea and reassured that the forward will receive more playing opportunities in the upcoming month. The coach emphasized Nkunku’s capabilities and expressed confidence in the player’s future contributions to the team. Currently, Nkunku is behind Nicolas Jackson in the striker hierarchy and is competing with Cole Palmer for a role in the attacking midfield, which has impacted his starting chances. Maresca's comments aim to quell public concerns regarding Nkunku's morale and the prospect of him leaving Chelsea, categorically denying any plans to sell the player. This stance highlights the club's commitment to Nkunku and their anticipation of his return to form as they navigate a challenging season.