“Start him against Van Dijk” “He will frustrate him” – Mikel Obi suggest Enzo Maresca should start 26-years-old Chelsea star against Liverpool
Ahead of Liverpool clash Mikel Obi has suggested Enzo Maresca start Christopher Nkunku ahead of Nicolas Jackson.
The former Nigerian footballer has taken a shot at the Senegalese yet again, advising head coach Enzo Maresca to explore other players in the number nine position.
“I think so,” he said on the Obi One Podcast when asked if Christopher Nkunku is a number nine and could push Nicolas Jackson in that role.
“I know Jackson plays every game, starts every game. He scored back-to-back against Wolves and Crystal Palace, but I think we have these players as well who can play the false nine role.”
“Nkunku frustrates defenders and Van Dijk will suffer from his hands…we need a player like Nkunku to start such game” He said
Maresca has enough attackers in the squad, including Nkunku, who scored the winner against Bournemouth off the bench. They also have Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho, João Felix, and Noni Madueke, amongst others.
“Create the freedom for these players, Jadon, Cole Palmer, Madueke on the right, Nkunku or João Felix on the left, you know, the freedom of these players interchanging there, I think that’s something we might try and see how that works,” he added.
“For me, I think with Nkunku’s performances coming off the bench sometimes, he deserves to get a start, maybe pushing Nicolas Jackson.”