Paul Merson thinks Enzo Maresca is using ‘intelligent’ Chelsea player incorrectly, ‘I feel sorry for him’…

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Paul Merson doesn’t think one Chelsea player is being used correctly by Enzo Maresca right now.

Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager, will have a lot to ponder during the next couple of weeks across the international break.

The Blues wrapped up before the break with a very disappointing 1-0 loss away to rivals Arsenal in the Premier League. It means that they’re in the thick of a battle for Champions League qualification, which looks set to go to the top five.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	29	21	7	1	69	27	42	70
2	ArsenalArsenal	29	16	10	3	53	24	29	58
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	29	16	6	7	49	35	14	54
4	ChelseaChelsea	29	14	7	8	53	37	16	49
5	Man CityManchester City	29	14	6	9	55	40	15	48
6	NewcastleNewcastle	28	14	5	9	47	38	9	47
7	BrightonBrighton	29	12	11	6	48	42	6	47

Maresca apologised to Chelsea’s travelling fans immediately after the defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. It certainly feels like the pressure and anxiety is building from the fanbase.

• READ MORE: Chelsea supporters have a lot to say about Enzo Maresca after defeat to Arsenal, ‘absolutely baffling’…

Paul Merson insists Enzo Maresca shouldn’t be playing Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku on the wing

Paul Merson believes that the Blues head coach is getting it massively wrong with one player in his squad.

He states that Christopher Nkunku, 27, isn’t a winger, and he feels sorry that the Frenchman is filling into that role.

“Christopher Nkunku’s position is not on the wing. I feel sorry for him. I like him, I think he’s a good player. He’s one that plays behind the centre-forward,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“He’s an intelligent footballer, connects things, but the problem is Palmer’s been outstanding. I don’t think Chelsea were foreseeing Palmer being as good as what he was hence why they bought Nkunku for a lot of money.”

When he first joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023, Nkunku said he prefers playing striker.

We think that most supporters would agree he’s at his best in a central No 10 position, although he rarely gets to play there because of Blues teammate Cole Palmer. The statistics suggest that’s the case, too.

The Christopher Nkunku drop off

Every Chelsea fan had a good reason to be excited about Nkunku when he arrived because of the way he performed for many years in the German Bundesliga. Unfortunately, he’s looked nowhere near as effective in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old attacker should be at the peak of his powers right now, but the decline in his performances and output is obvious.

While we agree that Nkunku doesn’t suit playing as a left-winger, he’s simply got to do more in and out of possession when he’s on the football pitch.

Bayern Munich want to sign Nkunku after missing out on his signature in the January transfer window. At this stage, it feels like a no-brainer for all parties to try negotiate a move at the end of the season.