Chelsea Boss Maresca Urges Nkunku to Step Up Despite Strong Performance Against Southampton
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has challenged Christopher Nkunku to elevate his game further, despite the Frenchman delivering an impressive display in Chelsea’s 4-0 thrashing of Southampton on Tuesday night.
The dominant win—fueled by goals from Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella—snapped Chelsea’s three-game winless run and propelled them back into the Premier League top four.
Maresca's Take on Nkunku's Performance
Speaking after the match, Maresca acknowledged Nkunku’s contribution but insisted that the club expects even more from him.
“I’m happy with him, I know that he can give more. We expect more from him,” Maresca told TNT Sports.
He further explained the tactical challenges of fitting Nkunku into the squad, given the player’s versatility.
“He is not a nine. Many games he plays as a nine. He is not a winger and tonight he played as a winger. He is an attacking midfielder. The problem is that sometimes to find balance… we already used Cole Palmer there, so we try to use him in different positions.”
Is Nkunku Being Played Out of Position?
Nkunku’s adaptability is both a strength and a challenge. While his versatility allows him to feature in different roles, it also raises concerns over whether Chelsea is maximizing his potential. The Frenchman is at his best when deployed as an attacking midfielder, where he can orchestrate play and influence goal-scoring chances.
Yet, with Palmer excelling in that role, Maresca has had to experiment with Nkunku in wider and central positions. The key question now is: Will Chelsea adjust their system to unlock Nkunku’s full capabilities, or will he remain a tactical puzzle?
Chelsea fans will be eager to see how he is utilized in their next match against Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League Round of 16 on March 6.
🔵💬 What do you think? Should Nkunku be played in his natural role, or does his versatility benefit Chelsea’s system? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👇
