“In this moment” – Maresca explains why Nkunku is featuring regularly at the Club World Cup | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has stated Christopher Nkunku is playing because he “deserves” to, and believes he had a good performance against Fluminense.

Nkunku found himself in the starting line-up once again as Chelsea made the Club World Cup Final thanks to a 2-0 win against their Brazilian counterparts.

Joao Pedro scored two brilliant goals on his first start for the Blues, and Maresca’s men will face either Paris Saint Germain or Real Madrid in the final.

Enzo Maresca on Christopher Nkunku

It’s fair to say not many supporters would have expected Nkunku to feature as regularly as he has in this competition.

The 27-year-old was strongly linked with Bayern Munich in January, and the Bundesliga giants are believed to have reignited their interest.

Nkunku made 27 Premier League appearances last season, but only nine of those came as starts, and he could only manage three league goals.

Nkunku started his third Club World Cup game against Fluminense. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Frenchman is very much still expected to leave this summer, and Manchester United have reportedly been quoted £35m to sign Nkunku.

However, he appears to be having something of a resurgence at the Club World Cup having appeared in five of Chelsea’s six games, starting three of three of them.

Maresca was asked post game about Nkunku and revealed he’s tries to give players a chance, and he’s playing because he “deserves” to.

“We try to give them the chance when they deserve,” he told his post-match press conference.

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“In this moment, if Christo is playing, it is because he deserves to play. Again, I think today was good, he had some moments that he couldn’t score, we had some moments that he had some chances.

“But overall I think he had a good game.”

Joao Felix expected to leave

Nkunku isn’t the only attacker facing an uncertain future, with Joao Felix also expected to leave despite only joining from Atletico Madrid for £45m last summer.

Felix spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan, and is attracting interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.

However, the 25-year-old has stated he wishes to return to Benfica, and reportedly the two clubs are working on a deal which would see Felix return to his boyhood club.