Just like at the beginning of any new season, Chelsea fans will start full of optimism and hope before a ball is kicked.
The Blues are used to seeing a new face in the manager’s dugout by now, with Enzo Maresca the latest head coach to take on the monumental challenge at Stamford Bridge.
Despite all the chaos that exists around Chelsea, there’s still some very talented individuals in the squad that will allow supporters to dream big.
Christopher Nkunku, who’s aged 26, is certainly someone that falls into the category of a top player.
Here are five reasons to be excited about Nkunku going into next season…
- READ MORE: Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku and every Chelsea player’s Fantasy Premier League price in 2024/25
He’s had a great pre-season
First and foremost, Nkunku looks fit and ready after an impressive pre-season. This is vital for any player going into a new campaign, but even more so when their previous year was wrecked by injury.
The Frenchman started all five of Chelsea’s friendly matches in the United States this summer, scoring three goals in return. On top of a few goals, he’s looked sharp and heavily involved when the Blues have caught the eye as an offensive threat.
Chelsea play Inter Milan this Sunday back at Stamford Bridge in one final warm-up game before the new season begins, so it’s fair to guess Nkunku will once again keep his spot in the XI.
Enzo Maresca loves him
Maresca constantly turning to Nkunku in pre-season is a pretty good sign he rates him. He’s made it even more obvious that he’s a fan of the versatile attacker with his recent comments, too.
Speaking via Football.London after Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Real Madrid on Wednesday, Maresca praised Nkunku for his latest performance.
In addition, Maresca called Nkunku a “very good fit” for his system last week, as quoted by journalist Ben Jacobs on X.
It’ll become clearer when the new season starts who the head coach is favouring and liking, but it’s fair to assume Nkunku is one of those players.
He can play multiple positions
Nkunku’s ability to play in numerous positions on the pitch is extremely exciting because it’s likely to mean he always forces his way into the starting line-up.
He’s played most of pre-season as an advanced midfielder in a No 10 role. However, there’s also been times when he’s been deployed as the central striker. The Blues star has proven in his career he’s capable off the wing as well.
During an interview with Chelsea’s official app in July, Nkunku explained he’s happiest when he’s playing centrally. It looks like he’ll get that under this new management, whether that’s a bit deeper or as a centre-forward.
He’s got a point to prove after last year
Nkunku only played 14 matches across all competitions in his debut year at Chelsea, which certainly isn’t the way he would’ve planned for his first season in English football to go.
He must be so desperate to show why it cost £52m (BBC) to sign him from RB Leipzig last summer.
Nkunku’s reputation in Germany is great after 70 goals and 56 assists in 172 appearances for Leipzig. Next, it’s time for him to show English audiences just how good he can really be.
A potential deadly partnership with Cole Palmer
If there’s one combination that has the potential to really click into a very high level, it’s Nkunku and Cole Palmer.
Chelsea’s most intelligent footballers in the final third of the pitch have to be Nkunku and Palmer, but the former couldn’t get into a real rhythm last year due to injury interruptions.
The thought of them linking up week after week in the new campaign is a very exciting one.
There weren’t many when you looked around the Chelsea side last season on Palmer’s wavelength, but Nkunku’s got the footballing IQ to potentially make a lethal partnership.
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