“For now he will be bench” – Mauricio Pochettino says 26-year-old Chelsea player will be on the bench vs Wolves
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!As the holiday football festivities approach, Chelsea’s head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, unveils insights into Christopher Nkunku’s status ahead of the upcoming clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Christmas Eve.
The anticipation among the Chelsea faithful is palpable as they look forward to witnessing more of Christopher Nkunku, the 26-year-old attacker who recently made his debut for the Blues during the midweek triumph over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.
Returning from an injury that sidelined him for the first half of the season, Nkunku showcased his resilience by featuring as a substitute in the final 20 minutes against Newcastle. However, Pochettino has confirmed that the French forward will once again find himself on the bench for the upcoming encounter with Wolves.
In his pre-match press conference, Pochettino addressed Nkunku’s situation, emphasizing the need for patience as the player gradually regains full fitness after a prolonged spell on the sidelines. The £52 million star, according to Sky Sports, is not yet ready to secure a spot in the starting XI. Pochettino remarked, “We need to be patient, we need to give time. We need to provide him the capacity for him to find his best form… To play from the beginning, I don’t know, I think it’s too early to see him start the game. In the next few weeks, we’ll consider him in the starting XI, but not at the moment.”
The sentiments echoed by Pochettino are echoed by football pundit Jamie Redknapp, who, speaking via Sky Sports, admitted that Nkunku’s brief appearance against Newcastle didn’t reveal much. Acknowledging the challenges of adapting to a new country and regaining full fitness, it is expected that Nkunku’s journey to peak performance will take some time.
Despite the initial observations, Nkunku’s courage to step up and convert his spot-kick during Chelsea’s penalty shootout victory over Newcastle showcases his determination and adds a layer of promise to his integration into the squad.
As Nkunku navigates the path to full speed through cameo performances, his mere presence in the squad introduces a heightened level of competition. Pochettino, faced with tougher decisions when constructing his preferred forward line, is likely to navigate the delicate balance of integrating a talented player while ensuring a seamless transition to the rigors of English football.
