“From now on…” – Maresca admits Chelsea chose attacker over Felix; promises more minutes | OneFootball

Many Chelsea fans were annoyed at the news that Joao Felix would be leaving because they wanted him to get more game time for the Blues.

Equally annoyed are another group who think Christopher Nkunku should have been getting more game time.

Well the Frenchman won the battle in the eyes of the sporting structure at Chelsea, as it was Felix who ended up being loaned out late in January. That clears a little more space for Nkunku, as does the fact that both Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, the only strikers in the squad, have picked up injuries.

Asked whether all of this combined meant potentially more game time for Nkunku in his press conference today, manager Enzo Maresca agreed:

“Yes, for sure, for sure. I spoke already last week about Christo. Against West Ham, he played already more or less half an hour. From now on, he can hopefully get some more minutes and help us.”

He was then asked if this would be the break that Nkunku needed to get his career started at Chelsea, and was just as positive about that:

“Absolutely. I was with the club and we were sure before the transfer window that Christo was one of the players that our intention was to keep him.”

That makes the reality clear – he and the club prioritised keeping Nkunku above keeping Felix in this window. And they followed through on that intention. Quite why Felix was signed in the first place then (to a seven year contract, no less) is the real mystery now.

Nkunku set for more starts – now it’s down to him

Christopher Nkunku arrives at Stamford Bridge to it on the bench. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

It loos certain now that Nkunku will get a start against Brighton tomorrow and it’s up to him to make it work. He has a lot of impressing to do – he doesn’t always look a natural fit up front for us, hence his lack of minutes so far this season.