Emmanuel Petit claims Christopher Nkunku is not being prioritised at Chelsea due to one player set to join club in the future
Former Chelsea star Emmanuel Petit feels that the Blues have made a decision to choose youngster Estevao Willian over Christopher Nkunku in their planning. The Brazilian teenager has signed with the Premier League side and will join them in the summer of 2025 after he turns 18.
Chelsea spent an initial €34 million to sign 17-year-old Brazil international Estevao Willian from Palmeiras, beating a host of clubs to the signature of the youngster. Due to Premier League regulations, the teenager will only complete his transfer after he turns 18 in April 2025, but his performances in Brazil have kept him in the public eye. The youngster leads the Brazilian top-flight in goals and assists, with 12 goals and eight assists to his name in just 27 appearances this season.
Emmanuel Petit spoke with Casino Hawks about the situation of his countryman Christopher Nkunku, and he revealed that the 27-year-old is being impacted by the imminent arrival of Estevao. The Frenchman said that the youngster is coming to play in an attacking midfield role, hence the decision to shift Nkunku, who enjoys a similar role, to being a striker.
"Christopher Nkunku isn’t being prioritised at Chelsea because of who is coming in to play in that position, Estevao Willian. This is a player who has broken Neymar’s records in Brazil and has so much quality despite only being 17.”
"His agent says that everything is clear with the Chelsea board in terms of plans and he’ll be playing in the number 10 position next season. Nkunku has done well and has also played well for France, but his injuries have held him back and although Chelsea will be very happy to keep him, he isn’t their priority."
Nkunku has featured prominently for the Blues in their cup engagements this season, scoring ten goals already at this stage of the campaign. The Frenchman has had to be satisfied with a bit-part role at Stamford Bridge, as Cole Palmer starts in attacking midfield and Nicolas Jackson starts up front.
Estevao is expected to directly team up with the first-team at Stamford Bridge after his switch in July 2025. The teenager will likely visit the club to get himself familiar with some of the facilities and faces at the club in January, according to their plans.
Chelsea set for full-strength squad for Leicester City game
Chelsea appear set to take on newly-promoted Leicester City in the Premier League with a full-strength squad on Saturday. The Blues will play thee first match after the international break with their early kick-off against the Foxes.
Blues coach Enzo Maresca has most of his key players with him, including those who have missed games in recent weeks, in training. Pictures from Monday's session showed Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Wesley Fofana all in full training, while Jason Sancho also made his return to training.
Maresca and his side will likely be without Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia after his withdrawal from the Belgium squad earlier this week. The Blues will hope to have the 20-year-old fit and available for the trip to the King Power Stadium on Saturday.