Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup for the Carabao Cup final. Despite the Frenchman being fit to play, manager Mauricio Pochettino has decided to bench him for four consecutive matches.
Prior to the Liverpool clash, he had also been a substitute for the fixtures against Aston Villa (in the FA Cup), Crystal Palace and Manchester City. It will be a month without a start if Nkunku isn’t included in the lineup against Leeds on Wednesday evening. Some reports have suggested that injuries have played a big part in the player struggling to find his best form, but fans on X are not entirely convinced:
Does he need time until next season? He honestly has to step up.
— Herr Große (@HerrGerie) February 26, 2024
I'm a big fan of nkunku i believe with time he will prove himself
— James Anthony (@igbo_name) February 26, 2024
Lmaoooooo 😂😂😂😂 abi the manager don’t know how to use him 😂
— SHAYEE 𒀭 (@tier_first) February 26, 2024
He is still a star. Can’t wait for him to be at full form
— CST (@BLUES_CST) February 26, 2024
He can’t press and won’t thrive in a Poch system.
— CFC24/7 (@CFC24_365) February 26, 2024
He's been out for months and had a recent setback. Worse than coming in fro pre season. Doubt if we don't see the best of him until next season. Just hope the injury dosen't have s long term effect.
— Fletch (@TeaBarOfTheShed) February 26, 2024
They failed to sign a centre forward and opted to wait for nkuku , nkuku has been ghosting in last few games he has played so far..and he even looks out of the system…
— werciquay-jimmy (@werciquay) February 26, 2024
Nkunku needs to start against Leeds
Finding rhythm is massive after being sidelined for so long with injury and that is something that Nkunku needs to find. Getting minutes off the bench is far from ideal so starting him in the FA Cup has to be considered.
If he can get 90 minutes under his belt, it should hold him in good stead heading into the run of fixtures before the international break.
He needs to find his place in Chelsea’s starting eleven
It’s not all about fitness for Nkunku. Coming into a team that has been struggling to get results is far from easy, but Pochettino must find a way of getting the most out of him.
The Blues boss has selected him mostly as a centre-forward so far but you do think that he is better suited to playing either as a no.10 or in wide areas.
