“He’s worth £90.5m now and has created a big problem for Nkunku at Chelsea” – Shaun Wright-Phillips reveals why Chelsea star is giving Nkunku hard time at Chelsea
CHelsea new signing Cole Palmer is now worth £90.5m in the transfer market now after his stunning impact in the Chelsea squad.
Shaun Wright-Phillips explains how Cole Palmer has created a big problem for Nkunku at Chelsea
According to former Blues player Shaun Wright-Phillips, Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino faces a challenging dilemma as he navigates the task of incorporating both Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer into the starting line-up.
Despite Chelsea’s inconsistent season, the squad boasts considerable talent. Palmer has particularly stood out with 21 direct goal contributions in 28 appearances.
Meanwhile, Nkunku has played only eight games this campaign, following an injury-hit move to Stamford Bridge. And Wright-Phillips has now hinted that Palmer’s success might present a potential setback for Nkunku in securing a spot in Pochettino’s starting XI.
Speaking during an appearance on Manchester City’s YouTube Channel, the former Chelsea star said: “I think him playing as well as he has actually caused Pochettino problems because he would play in that No 10 role and that was meant to be Nkunku’s position.
“Because Cole is playing so well, Nkunku is not starting. If he does come on he tends to go as the leading striker. He doesn’t really stay there anyway.”
We see SWP’s point, but the truth is that Pochettino appears to have found a way to use Nkunku in his side, despite Palmer and Jackson being available, as we saw in the game against Crystal Palace on Monday.
The Frenchman is a very versatile player, who can function as a winger, a number 10, and a striker. He can always play in any of the other two positions if Poch decides he wants to use Palmer as a 10, and from what we saw against Palace, he doesn’t seem to have a problem doing that.
Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku can definitely do well in the Chelsea attack; the onus now lies on Mauricio Pochettino to make it happen.
Every manager will admit this is a nice dilemma to have.