Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has given clarification on Nicolas Jackson’s injury and has discussed the possibility of using Christopher Nkunku and a few other players to fill the hole up top.
Christopher Nkunku is not a recognised centre-forward and has only made three starts in the Premier League this season.
However, the 27-year-old has played up front under Enzo Maresca, who is set to be without his first-choice striker for a while.
The Chelsea head coach could have actually lost Nkunku last month. Bayern Munich were interested in signing Nkunku but could not agree a deal with Chelsea in the end.
Enzo Maresca could use Tyrique George up front
Aside from Nkunku, Tyrique George looks like another name that Maresca could consider for the striker position following Jackson‘s injury.
In his latest pre-match press conference, after confirming that the Senegal international will be unavailable until after the international break and that Nkunku is one option to replace him, Maresca said: “[False nine] could be a solution. Pedro [Neto], Noni [Madueke] or even Tyrique, they can try and be a solution for us.
“Jadon [Sancho] has different kind of skills. When you don’t have a proper nine, you need to use a different kind of nine but you need to change the way you play. We will find a solution.”
While George is not a natural No.9, Maresca has made it clear that Nkunku is not either, stating: “I said since day one that Christo is not a nine, he is an attacking midfielder. We know very well that Christo is not a nine.”
Romeo Lavia recently discussed George, highlighting the amount of potential his teammate has.
Will Tyrique George start against Brighton?
Chelsea’s first Premier League test without Jackson comes against Brighton & Hove Albion, who beat them as recently as last weekend.
Based on Maresca’s words, at some point, it looks like he could try George up front.
For now, though, you can see the Italian playing it safe. Therefore, do not be surprised to see Nkunku named in the starting XI for the game at the Amex.
Nkunku has a point to prove and will be hoping that he can cement a place in the team if he does get the nod on Friday.
If the Frenchman cannot do the above, then you would expect him to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer. It is possible that Bayern return for Nkunku after registering interest in him in the previous transfer window.
It really will be interesting to see what Maresca does in the upcoming weeks now that Jackson is unavailable.
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