“He can play anywhere” – Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca on Christopher Nkunku’s versatility

In an interview ahead of Chelsea’s preseason tour of the USA, their newly appointed manager Enzo Maresca commented on the versatility that Christopher Nkunku (26) offers him.

Nkunku’s first 12 months at Chelsea did not go as either he or the Premier League club will have envisaged. The France international suffered an injury-ravaged season with 4 separate injuries keeping out of 39 matches across all competitions. The 26-year-old suffered a knee injury which kept him out of action for 109 days.

The former Leipzig attacking midfielder was linked with a potential move away from Stanmford Bridge earlier in the transfer window. These links were quickly put to bed with the Blues categorically denying any plans to allow the PSG academy graduate to leave the club, according to Fabrizio Romano. Despite being injured for most of last season, the Frenchman was still able to make an impact in the games he played – scoring 3 goals in 13 appearances.

Maresca is clearly jovial about the prospect of being able to coach Nkunku. Taking about his plans to utilise the attacking midfielder, the former Leicester manager said, “As I said, these kind of players for me, they can play winger, they can play attacking midfielder, they can play No.9, they can play anywhere.”

GFFN | Liam Wraith