"He would be mad to jump ship now" - Pundit urges Chelsea star not to leave the club amid Manchester United links
Glen Johnson has warned Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku against a move to Manchester United amid reported interest from the club. The pundit believes staying at Stamford Bridge will be the best move for his career.
The Blues secured Nkunku's services in 2023 for a reported £52 million fee from RB Leipzig. The French forward had a terrible start to life in west London, missing the majority of the 2023-24 campaign due to knee and hamstring injuries.
This season, while he has struggled to break into the starting XI, Nkunku has scored ten goals in 17 appearances and is the club's top goalscorer so far across competitions.
Given his place in the pecking order, reports emerged suggesting that the 26-year-old is open to an exit and Manchester United are monitoring his situation.
However, Johnson feels it will be unwise for Nkunku to leave Chelsea, who are third in the Premier League, given their prospects under Enzo Maresca. He told Betfred (via Metro):
"His start to life at the club was quite tough when he suffered his injury and we don’t know if he’s fully over that yet. In spells, we’ve seen some really good stuff from him and as Chelsea are going in the right direction, he would be mad to jump ship now.
"They’re in a much better position now and if he can get fit and get himself in the starting eleven, then Chelsea have a good player on their hands. He just doesn’t look fully fit yet."
The Blues will next face Leicester City in the Premier League after the international break on November 23.
"Nkunku can play in the Premier League" - Enzo Maresca speaks on Chelsea star's game time amid Manchester United links
Enzo Maresca insists there is a way Christopher Nkunku can get more minutes in the Premier League this season amid links with Manchester United.
The bulk of Nkunku's goals this season have come from starts in the Conference League and the EFL Cup, with the Frenchman just starting once in the English top flight so far.
Nkunku's current Chelsea contract only expires in 2029. But some reports claim they are willing to let him go in January and have even set an asking price for interested parties, including Manchester United.
However, Maresca has offered a path for Nkunku to establish himself in his lineup. Speaking after their 1-1 draw against Arsenal last weekend, the Italian said (Via The Standard):
“Even if from outside you struggle to believe me, there is not two teams. The ones that played tonight [Sunday], probably in three weeks, they are playing Conference [League] and the ones that are playing Conference, they can play in the Premier League.
“Joao Felix can play in the Premier League. Nkunku can play Premier League. All of them can play Premier League. I always repeat the same thing. Just because they played today doesn't mean they’re going to play the next one. You have to compete, you have to perform in the right away."