Why Chelsea fans should be excited about Nkunku's impending debut
"We didn’t want to take a risk with him and give him more time for his recovery," Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said of Christopher Nkunku after Saturday's 2-0 win over Sheffield United. Supporters are eager to finally see the Frenchman in action after he officially completed his move to Stamford Bridge over the summer.
A knee injury sustained in pre-season forced the former RB Leipzig man under the knife earlier in the year and having been named on the bench against the Blades on Saturday, fans hoped to get their first glimpse of the 26-year-old in action against the relegation favourites. While Nkunku wasn't used in any capacity on Saturday, that the forward made the bench was a huge positive for a Blues side that has struggled in front of goal this season.
Despite ample investment on the frontline over the last 18 months, Chelsea have still scored just 28 league goals this season. Pochettino's side have missed more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities (35) than any other Premier League side this term, while a conversion rate of 11.6% ranks ninth in the division. They should have scored more. 9.6 key passes per game is also the ninth most in England's top tier, this despite spending big to sign the likes of Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk and Nkunku, to name four, since Todd Boehly took charge of the club.
The hope now is that Nkunku's return to the side will improve Chelsea's fortunes in the final third. That's not to say that the Blues are struggling in the same vain as last season - they have scored in six of their last seven league matches - yet the reason for Nkunku's addition was to bring in a top quality attacking threat that can not only pry apart defences but get on the scoresheet, too.
Despite leaving RB Leipzig over the summer, Nkunku's 20 goals and assists combined still ranks 14th in the Bundesliga since the start of last season as the France international largely operated up front but also out wide and in the number 10 role. It's in the latter position where fans will hope to see Nkunku operate once he is up to speed.
No fewer than five players have started in this role under Pochettino this season, with Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez - two central midfielders - each doing so on five occasions, that the joint-most of all Chelsea players in the Premier League. Without a quality attacking player featuring as the support striker, it's hardly surprising that Chelsea have performed below the levels expected of them following Pochettino's appointment.
Fans will certainly remember Nkunku's performances in pre-season as an example of what is to come from the high-profile summer addition. Pre-season is a way to gain crucial match fitness ahead of the campaign yet Nkunku struck up a quick understanding with Jackson and the hope is that both players will rapidly rediscover that spark once the former is back up to speed.
In addition, his stats for RB Leipzig last season paint a picture to a forward who'll offer plenty of variety on this Blues frontline. Yes, caution must be applied when comparing a player's Bundesliga performances with their suitability to the Premier League, as Chelsea fans are fully aware of having watched on as Timo Werner and Kai Havertz struggled to adapt to English football, yet Nkunku certainly showcased his worth in Germany's top tier.
Nkunku put up averages of 3.5 shots, 1.8 key passes and 1.8 successful dribbles in the Bundesliga last season and the array of ways he can put a backline to the sword will add to the unpredictability of Pochettino's side. Whether he features in the midweek Carabao Cup meeting with Newcastle remains to be seen but he's edging closer to a first team debut for the Blues and this is enough to excite supporters as we near the hectic festive period.
There is a solid balance in the midfield at Stamford Bridge with Gallagher performing better than many expected earlier in the year and Cole Palmer slotting in seamlessly on the frontline. The former Manchester City man put in a player of the match performance against the Blades on Saturday to maintain his flying start at Stamford Bridge. Factor in Moises Caicedo, Fernandez and Romeo Lavia and there is plenty of depth in the central areas.
That being said, Nkunku was one of the marquee additions to the side over the summer, and he joined to play the link up man in the final third. It wouldn't be a surprise if Palmer is pushed to the right and Sterling to the left to accomodate Nkunku once he does make his long-awaited debut for Pochettino's side. He could prove the player Chelsea need to haul them into European contention.
