Chelsea may now use £30m player to replace injured Nkunku
Chelsea could now use Elye Wahi as a replacement for Christopher Nkunku – despite initially planning to loan him out to Strasbourg.
That is according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Well, the 2023/24 campaign has got off to a terrible start for Chelsea even before a ball is kicked, as Nkunku faces four months on the sidelines.
The France international damaged his meniscus in the 2-0 friendly win over Fulham, and now requires surgery to fix the issue.
As a result, Mauricio Pochettino has been left with Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja as his only central striking options, with Raheem Sterling also able to play there – although the England international has struggled in friendlies this summer.
To beef up his attacking options, Pochettino is now reconsidering his plans for Wahi – who Chelsea haven’t actually signed yet.
A story from L’Equipe in France claimed that Chelsea saw a £24m bid rejected for the Montpellier No.21 recently, and were told to pay £30m.
The French news outlet add that Wahi is keen to join Chelsea.
Elsewhere, it was Fabrizio Romano who revealed Chelsea’s plans to send the 20-year-old to Strasbourg once a deal is finalised.
Now – however – those plans look set to change after Nkunku’s injury.
Replacing Nkunku with Wahi could prove to be unpopular at Chelsea
In our view, Pochettino would be taking a gamble if he immediately threw Wahi in to replace Nkunku, ahead of a more experienced name such as Sterling.
For what it’s worth, we can’t see that happening anyway.
The France Under-21 international would surely need to prove himself before immediately stepping in to replace Nkunku, and it is not really Pochettino’s style to disturb squad harmony in this manner.
Therefore, while we can believe Gazzetta dello Sport’s suggestion that Wahi may no longer be loaned out, we can’t see him being entrusted with such an important role straight away.