Christopher Nkunku was meant to be Chelsea’s saviour after returning from injury.
He was one of the best goalscorers in Germany during his time at RB Leipzig, netting 70 times for the Bundesliga club.
However, Christopher Nkunku has only scored two goals since arriving at Chelsea, though he has been injured and has often had to settle for a role on the bench since making his comeback.
Still, you cannot help but feel that Mauricio Pochettino could be utilising him more and much better, especially after watching the forward’s display in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool yesterday.
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Christopher Nkunku ineffective against Liverpool
Nkunku was introduced to the game in the 67th minute, coming on for Raheem Sterling.
He replaced the 29-year-old on the left, while Nicolas Jackson remained up front.
Nkunku is capable of playing on the left wing, but is it his best position? No, it is not, and he proved to be quite ineffective there yesterday.
Pochettino eventually moved him up front, but he could not make much of an impact there either. And that has sort of been the story of his Chelsea career so far when he has been fit: Pochettino, in effect, trying to squeeze him somewhere in the Blues’ attack.
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What is Christopher Nkunku’s best position?
Nkunku is probably at his best when he is playing just off a centre-forward. The France international scored most of his goals at Leipzig in that kind of role.
At Chelsea, for multiple reasons — largely injury — Nkunku has not had too many opportunities to start in the position behind a recognised striker.
However, if the Blues are to really tap into Nkunku’s ability, then they may eventually need the 26-year-old to settle into such a role instead of having him bounce between the left flank and the top of the pitch.
He cost the club £52m, according to BBC Sport, and right now it does not seem like money well spent with the way Pochettino has been using the former Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain star.
