Christopher Nkunku Addresses Substitute Role at Chelsea Amid International Call-Up

Christopher Nkunku, the 26-year-old Chelsea forward, has openly discussed his current status as a substitute player at the club amidst being called up for France‘s national squad. Nkunku, who is set to play in France’s upcoming Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium, has addressed the situation with composure.

“I try to perform as well as possible, whether I start or not,” Nkunku mentioned in response to questions about his club situation. “Afterwards, there is a coach at the club who makes his choices and we have to accept them.” His comments come as Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca faces mixed reactions from fans regarding Nkunku’s limited starts.

The debate on social media is varied, with some fans insisting Nkunku should be starting matches for Chelsea. User @thisis_cfcj commented, “Boy needs to be a starter. So clinical.” Conversely, @QUEENOFDBLUES1 suggested that the substitute role might be strategic for Nkunku’s recovery from previous injuries.

Amidst these discussions, Nkunku remains Chelsea’s top scorer this season in all competitions, with seven goals, surpassing teammate Cole Palmer. Despite this, the forward has only scored once in the Premier League, with most of his contributions coming in the Carabao Cup and the Conference League.

For now, Senegalese international Nicolas Jackson maintains the starting forward role, having exhibited a strong start to the season. This has led some to argue that there is no immediate necessity for Maresca to alter the current lineup.

Nevertheless, Nkunku has been acknowledged by France’s coach Didier Deschamps and is expected to start in their upcoming match. L’Équipe reports he will likely feature on the left, with Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé accompanying him in the attack.

This selection marks Nkunku’s revitalized presence on the national team, following a challenging previous season plagued with injuries. His anticipated participation in these crucial fixtures highlights his potential to influence both club and country performances significantly.