“Just that lack of” – Former Blue shares theory on why 34 touch Chelsea ace struggled against Brighton | OneFootball

Former Chelsea player Steve Sidwell believes Christopher Nkunku is suffering from a lack of confidence following the FA Cup exit to Brighton on Saturday evening.

The Blues were dumped out in the fourth round after losing 2-1 to the Seagulls despite taking an early first half lead, but that’s about as good as it got for Enzo Maresca’s men.

Bart Verbruggen pushed Cole Palmer’s effort into the back of net,  before Georginio Rutter equalised and Karou Mitoma scored the winner in the second half.

Sidwell shares Nkunku theory

Maresca made five changes from the team which beat West Ham on Monday night, with Robert Sanchez returning in goal, whilst Trevoh Chalobah, Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Nkunku all started.

Nkunku started as the number nine given the absence of both Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson through injury, with Maresca saying before the game the attacker would feature more regularly.

The 27-year-old had a really poor game, highlighted by the fact he had just one touch in the Brighton box as he struggled to make any meaningful impact.

Nkunku struggled to make any impact against Brighton. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

The France international did waste an opportunity when played through by Moises Caicedo, but instead of looking to shoot he instead played it to Palmer and the chance was gone.

Former Blue Sidwell shared his theory as to why Nkunku didn’t take the shot on himself and believes a lack of game time is to blame.

“If he’s playing and he’s confident, he’s burying that with his left foot,” he told ITV Football.

“He looks really bright, his movement’s been great. He’s been dropping really deep, that’s obviously been the game plan. It’s just that lack of confidence in front of goal, he needs to get one and build on that.”

Nkunku could have left in the January transfer window with strong reports of interest from Bayern Munich, who he’s said to have agreed personal terms with.

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The Frenchman isn’t a bad player, but this system simply doesn’t suit him and by Maresca’s own admission he’s not a number nine, and people continue to be surprised when he delivers poor performances in that role.

Chelsea will desperately be hoping Jackson is fit to return for the league game against Brighton on Friday night to give them some sort of threat on and off the ball.