Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has been linked with a departure from the club(Image: Getty Images)

Christopher Nkunku transfer stance as Chelsea exit plan emerges amid Enzo Maresca struggles

09 Nov 2024, 10:13 by Kieran King · football.london

Christopher Nkunku is not planning to leave Chelsea in January - but he could change his stance if his game time doesn't improve. The 26-year-old has started just one Premier League game this season - the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on the opening weekend - and was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw at Manchester United last time out.

He has been a regular starter in the Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup, but his playing time has been limited in the top flight. In fact, Nkunku has featured for just 153 minutes in the league, scoring once which came in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth in September.

This has since increased speculation over his future, with Nkunku, who joined the Blues from RB Leipzig for £52million in July 2023, linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

But according to Sky Sports Germany, Nkunku doesn't want to depart Chelsea in January and instead is movitated on regaining his place back in the Premier League starting XI. However, it's added that the Frenchman's situation is 'challenging' and a departure in the summer could become a possibility if his situation doesn't improve.

Despite his lack of Premier League game time, Nkunku is Chelsea's top scorer across all competitions this season with 10 goals in 16 matches. He found the net twice in the 8-0 drubbing of Noah on Thursday and has now scored six times in the Conference League.

Speaking on Nkunku's struggles for minutes in the top flight, Maresca said earlier this week: "Christo, every time he plays, he scores, and he does well. Also, he was probably our best player in pre-season, no doubt.

"He was playing then as an attacking midfielder and now we are using him as a nine, which we all know isn’t his position, he’s more a second striker or between the lines.

"But I try to find solution and balance with all of them but not all of them can be in their position, they have to adapt a bit. It’s for Joao, Christo, Misha [Mudryk, who Maresca was also asked about], they are all players who deserve more chances in the Premier League, but there are also more players who deserve that."

Chelsea are back in action when they host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday. It's the final game before the November international break, with the Blues looking to guarantee a spot in the top four ahead of the two-week break. Maresca's side then return with a trip to Leicester.

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