Christopher Nkunku Chelsea transfer truth revealed as Enzo Maresca makes £35m U-turn
Before Tuesday night's Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense, the last time Christopher Nkunku had started two games in a row was the middle of March. In the three months since, very little suggested his Chelsea career would go beyond this summer.
The legitimacy of Nkunku's end-of-season was questioned, with some believing that he was instead just being left out of the squad by Enzo Maresca. For the away trip to Fulham on April 20, the head coach explained that his absence was a 'technical decision.'
Nkunku would not play again until the final stages of the group stage win over Los Angeles FC in America. He was left on the bench against Flamengo four days later.
For all intents and purposes, Nkunku's time at Chelsea was coming to an end. He almost left in January, with all parties open to an exit. Manchester United and Bayern Munich showed interest.
If the structure of a deal had been right, there would have been no qualms with selling the 27-year-old. Chelsea's demands of at least £60million, which would represent a profit on the price paid for him in 2023 from RB Leipzig, put others off pursuing things too far.
So how, with Maresca preferring other players for much of his first season in charge, has it come to Nkunku starting legitimately important matches at the Club World Cup? Given the strength of sides that the Italian has been picking, it is not simple to explain.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreChelsea transfer news as Christopher Nkunku performances raise exit questions ahead of summer talks | Source: Football London
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