£52m player’s Chelsea career could now be over after Enzo Maresca’s big decision in Crystal Palace draw

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Chelsea have dropped more points following their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

It means that Enzo Maresca‘s men have now taken just two points from their last four games in the Premier League.

Chelsea took the lead in the first half through Cole Palmer, but his goal was cancelled out by Jean-Philippe Mateta.

At 1-0, the Blues needed another goal to kill off the game. Yet instead of bringing on a proven and prolific forward like Christopher Nkunku, Maresca went with the young and inexperienced Marc Guiu instead.

• READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano shares exactly what must happen for Christopher Nkunku to leave Chelsea in January, ‘the only way’…

Marc Guiu substitution could push Christopher Nkunku closer to the exit door

Before Chelsea’s trip to Selhurst Park, Maresca had admitted that he had not given Guiu enough minutes in the Premier League and wanted that to change.

“We have a young striker in Marc Guiu, who is doing very good in the Conference League,” the Chelsea manager was quoted as saying by Goal. “I didn’t give him enough minutes in the Premier League to prove it. Hopefully we can start to give him some minutes very soon.”

Even so, it was still a bit of a surprise to see Maresca call for the 19-year-old instead of Nkunku when Chelsea were searching for another goal on Saturday.

Failing to win a starting spot this season, Nkunku’s future at the club has been uncertain for a while. Now having to watch a teenager get chosen over him, the Frenchman may have just moved closer to the exit door.

Last month, it was claimed that Barcelona could become an option for Nkunku, though their financial issues could prevent a move from happening.

Not the first time Enzo Maresca has snubbed Christopher Nkunku

Maresca has mostly used Nkunku from off the bench this term. In total, the 27-year-old has made just three starts in the Premier League.

However, there was another game where Maresca failed to use Nkunku altogether.

Back in November, Chelsea were chasing an equaliser in their tie with Manchester United and then a winner after Moises Caicedo levelled things up with an excellent volley.

Even so, just like in Saturday’s draw with Palace, Maresca refused to turn to the £52m France international.

All in all, then, it would not be a surprise if Nkunku was not happy at Chelsea and decided to ask for a move away from Stamford Bridge this month.