Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has performed a sensational U-turn on a £50-million forward that he had previously deemed surplus to requirements, with the Italian now expressing his desire to keep the player.
Since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Maresca has ruled the roost with an iron fist, casting multiple big-name stars into the darkness and forcing them to seek a move away from the club.
Ben Chillwell, Joao Felix and Carney Chukwuemeka are just some of the players who had to find a move away from the club as they were not purchased or favoured by the 45-year-old coach.
Another player whose future had seemingly been elsewhere until recently was Christopher Nkunku, who has played a largely bit-part role under Maresca.
Christopher Nkunku has struggled for league minutes under Enzo Maresca but featured heavily during their Conference League campaign
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The 27-year-old has endured a thoroughly underwhelming spell at the Blues since his £55million move from RB Leipzig in 2023.
The Frenchman arrived with a huge reputation, after scoring 36 goals in 59 Bundesliga games the two season prior to his arrival.
However, the former PSG forward has failed to find any sort of form at Stamford Bridge, consistently struggling with injuries and scoring just 18 goals across two seasons.
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Enzo Maresca is said to have changed his mind on Christopher Nkunku
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Maresca had made his feelings clear on the forward, with Nkunku touting his services to European clubs.
Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Manchester United are all said to have held interest in the former Leipzig striker, but to no avail.
A potential swap deal between Chelsea and the Red Devils had been discussed that would see longstanding Chelsea target Alejandro Garnacho go the other way, but this also never materialised.
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However now, according to L’Equipe, Maresca has made it clear to the forward he will be in his plans for the upcoming season, with the extensive amount of games ahead of them in mind after their Champions League qualification.
Chelsea did play in Europe last season, but only competed in the Conference League, meaning Maresca had the disposal of an entirely new starting XI.
With the Champions League substantially tougher though, the Italian won't have that same luxury this season.
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Chelsea won the Conference League last year
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Nkunku played throughout Chelsea’s triumphant European campaign, and Maresca believes he has the ability to remain in the squad.
It had been said that in recent weeks Maresca had been training Nkunku into a new deeper midfield position, and this versatility may be the reason for the Italian’s switch.
It would not be the first time the Italian coach has changed his mind on an outcast star.
Just last year, Trevoh Chalobah was told by the coach he was not in his plans and ordered to find a new club, which he duly did when he joined Crystal Palace on loan.
However by January Maresca was faced with a centre-back shortage and recalled Chalobah from his loan spell, and the 26-year-old made 23 appearances in the second half of the season.
The most recent U-turn from Maresca shows the boss is willing to change his mind, and Nkunku may be the most recent beneficiary of this.