Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink delivers his honest verdict on Christopher Nkunku’s full debut for Chelsea tonight

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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink delivered his honest verdict on Christopher Nkunku’s full debut for Chelsea tonight against Crystal Palace.

Christopher Nkunku, who came off the bench in the previous two matches, finally made his first competitive start in Chelsea colours after returning from a knee injury.

The Blues ended up recording a 2-1 win at home to Palace on Wednesday evening, which feels like a really important result in the Premier League.

Mykhailo Mudryk put the hosts ahead at Stamford Bridge with a simple finish during a pretty one-sided first-half. However, Palace’s equaliser came on the stroke of half-time when Michael Olise fired in a goal at the back post.

Eventually, Blues substitute Noni Madueke scored the winner with a 89th minute penalty.

Next, Mauricio Pochettino’s side travel to Luton Town at the weekend for their final game of 2023.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink impressed

Speaking at the interval, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink singled out Nkunku for big praise following his Chelsea display.

The French attacker ended up playing 70 minutes before coming off, knitting a lot of his side’s attacks together.

“He’s brilliant. He gives them something different. He gives them calmness. Give me the ball and I will get something going… It looks like they’re getting something going (Nkunku and Jackson)… He’s got a lot of quality,” Hasselbaink told Amazon Prime Video (8:25pm, 27 December).

Christopher Nkunku against Crystal Palace

Speaking via Chelsea’s website this week, Pochettino said that Nkunku’s most effective playing in central attacking positions. We’ve got to agree after watching him in the No 10 position tonight versus Palace.

The 26-year-old playmaker linked up superbly well with centre-forward Nicolas Jackson, plus left-winger Mudryk.

It’s understandable that it’s going to take him a bit of time to get up to full speed after missing the first half of the season through injury, but he’s immediately catching the eye in his early Chelsea appearances.

His introduction to the squad appears to have immediately strengthened options in the forward positions, so we’re expecting individuals to raise their own levels.