Get French Football News
·12 July 2025
Christopher Nkunku played as a defensive midfielder in Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea training sessions

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsGet French Football News
·12 July 2025
Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku looks to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge as his playing time has decreased under the tutelage of head coach Enzo Maresca. This Sunday’s Club World Cup final against formative club PSG could very well be the France international’s final appearance for the West London side. In a feature on Nkunku, L’Equipe reports that the former RB Leipzig player, who thrived in the Bundesliga as a second striker, has never been seen as an ideal fit for the No. 9 role by Enzo Maresca, with which the relationship has not been “clear.”
Maresca reportedly also forced, on more than one occasion, Nkunku to feature as a defensive midfielder during training sessions, perhaps as a way of testing his strength of character, L’Equipe understands. The outlet adds that Nkunku prefers a more central position on the pitch. But Maresca favours England international Cole Palmer to play as an attacking midfielder and with Chelsea dipping in the centre-forward market to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town and João Pedro from Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, Nkunku’s time at Stamford Bridge looks over.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval