“I wish him the best in another club” “I think he will leave” – Enzo Maresca on Chelsea star after another poor display in 3-0 win over Legia Warsaw
Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku has been told he has ‘no future’ at Stamford Bridge as his struggles continued in the Europa Conference League clash against Legia Warsaw.
Enzo Maresca’s side moved a step closer to Europa Conference League glory as they beat Polish side Legia 3-0 on Thursday night.
Chelsea were frustrated for the opening 45 minutes but showed their class after the break and secured a routine win thanks to Tyrique George’s goal and a Noni Madueke brace.
The tie with inferior opponents Legia represented a good chance for Nkunku to try and kick-start his stuttering Chelsea career.
Signed from RB Leipzig for £52m in 2023, Nkunku struggled with fitness during his first season at Stamford Bridge.
Back fit this season, Nkunku has failed to live up to his hefty price-tag, scoring just three goals in the Premier League.
The France international was even linked with a move away from Chelsea during the January transfer window and he should leave the club this summer, according to ex-Blues defender Frank Leboeuf.
Chelsea supporters were critical of Nkunku’s first-half performance against Legia – especially when he dragged a tame shot wide from a counter-attack with three team-mates in space – and to make matters worse he missed a second-half penalty.
‘Christopher Nkunku has no future at Chelsea,’ Leboeuf told BetVictor ahead of the European fixture. ‘It’s sad to see, because he is a player with so much talent.
‘He was outstanding for the French national team and RB Leipzig. But he hasn’t settled into the club and has been unfortunate with injuries.
‘I was expecting a lot from Nkunku when he joined, but it just hasn’t happened for him. It’s a sad affair for the club, the fans and Christopher himself.
‘I think he must leave the club now; he will never settle at Chelsea and should look to move on.
‘I wish him all the best, and hope he rediscovers his form at another club because we’ve seen the magic he can produce.’
Assessing Nkunku’s performance, Chelsea boss Maresca said: ‘A lack of confidence in this moment but the only way to deal with that is to work hard.
‘The good thing about Christo is that he’s working well every day.’
Chelsea have one foot in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, with the winner of the competition qualifying for the Europa League.
But the Blues of course have aspirations of playing in the Champions League next season, needing to finish in the top-five in the Premier League to qualify for Europe’s top club competition.
Chelsea, currently fourth in the Premier League, will expect to boost their top-five hopes this weekend when they face relegation-battlers Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge.