Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku was handed a start by Enzo Maresca against Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday.
However, the France international struggled to make an impact. He didn’t register a single shot on goal during the whole 90 minutes. With Nkunku having sought a transfer during the January transfer window, many supporters on X believe the player has already checked out:
Nkunku is clearly sulking
I was there last night and he wondered around the pitch not interested and his efforts to press was poor— david (@bolgerdt) February 9, 2025
He’s mentally left the club already and will be sold in the summer.
— Blacklab (@ChelseatheLab) February 9, 2025
I was really happy that Chelsea picked him up, but he isn't happy to be here. I wish him well, it didn't work out
— azureblades ⭐⭐ (@axdambient) February 9, 2025
Downed tools & who can blame him?
— David Patterson (@DPatz13) February 9, 2025
Such a horrible showing from him….You could easily see that something is completely missing from his game…A pale shadow of himself
— IsaacJuliusAmoakoGyan (@IsaacJuliusAmo1) February 9, 2025
Tbh he didn't look like he cared much. We sent the wrong forward out on loan.
— Richard Disney (@RichardDisney) February 9, 2025
Nkunku’s season in numbers
When you look at the stats, the 27-year-old hasn’t performed particularly badly, having scored 13 goals and provided 4 assists in 31 appearances.
It is, though, important to isolate his league form. He has found the back of the net just twice in 20 games, although he has only started three times.
He could leave Chelsea in the summer
Bayern Munich and Manchester United were both reportedly interested in Nkunku last month but the player is said to have been against a loan exit.
With the Blues believed to have slapped a £60m/£65m asking price on the Frenchman, there were no takers. Things will likely change at the end of the season, especially if he does push more forcefully for a move away from Stamford Bridge.
Read our exclusive interview with Shaun Wright-Phillips as he discusses Christopher Nkunku’s future and assesses Pedro Neto’s start to life at Chelsea
