Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca admits he’s struggling to find a role in the team for £52m player

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One thing Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca cannot complain about this season is having a lack of options.

In fact, the Chelsea boss has so many that not everyone is getting an opportunity to play in their natural position.

A lot of talented players, including the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix, are also having to sit on the bench, showing just how much quality Chelsea have in their squad.

It has been reported that Nkunku is becoming worried about his lack of opportunities in the current campaign.

• READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres has just accomplished what Christopher Nkunku did before his move to Chelsea

Enzo Maresca makes Christopher Nkunku admission

Nkunku is at his best when he is starting as a second striker, a role he often played during his time at RB Leipzig.

However, Maresca has been using him as a No.9 this season, despite acknowledging that that is not his best position.

Speaking about the 26-year-old in his pre-match press conference, he said: “Christo, every time he plays, he scores, and he does well.

“Also, he was probably our best player in pre-season, no doubt. He was playing then 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.

“But I try to find solution and balance with all of them but not all of them can be in their position, they have to adapt a bit. It’s for Joao, Christo, Misha, they are all players who deserve more chances in the Premier League, but there are also more players who deserve that.”

It is not a surprise to hear that Nkunku is starting to become concerned about his playing time. Against Manchester United last weekend, Maresca did not even bring Nkunku on.

Christopher Nkunku’s minutes compared to Chelsea’s other forwards

Nkunku has started in all four of Chelsea’s Conference League games this season, including the two qualifiers the Blues had to play.

The Frenchman has also featured in nine Premier League fixtures. However, most of those appearances have come from off the bench. He has not actually played that many minutes for a forward who cost the club £52m.

In total, Nkunku has only managed to rack up 152 minutes of action in the top flight, leaving him way behind Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, for example.

If things do not change, then it would not be a surprise if Nkunku considered a transfer in January or next summer.

Nkunku recently described PSG as a “big club”, so a return to his former side is likely to be of interest to him if they come knocking.