“He’s still valuable to us and his performance against Benfica proved my point. We still believe in him and he’s not going to leave us soon” – This is according to Enzo Maresca as he remains hopeful about underperforming Chelsea player after giving him a shot against Benfica
Following Chelsea’s dominant 3-0 victory over Esperance Sportive de Tunis in the FIFA Club World Cup, manager Enzo Maresca took the opportunity to express his ongoing confidence in a player who has recently come under intense criticism and scrutiny.
The Italian tactician made several notable changes to his regular starting eleven for the match. Among those given a chance to impress were Christopher Nkunku, Filip Jorgensen, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Dewsbury-Hall’s inclusion was particularly significant given the swirling transfer rumors around him. Recent reports have linked the midfielder with a possible move away from Stamford Bridge during the upcoming summer transfer window, with some sources suggesting he could be used in a swap deal involving Brighton striker Joao Pedro.
Meanwhile, attention also remains focused on Christopher Nkunku. Despite having only been with the club for a relatively short time, his future at Chelsea is already the subject of speculation. According to multiple media outlets, Manchester United has shown a strong interest in acquiring the French international.
Regardless of the rumors and uncertainty surrounding Nkunku’s future, Maresca still included him in the starting lineup against the Tunisian side. After the match, the Chelsea head coach addressed the situation in an interview with The Standard, where he reaffirmed his belief in Nkunku’s ability to contribute to the team moving forward. At the same time, Maresca recognized that the dynamics of the transfer market can be highly unpredictable.
“If Christo is here with us, it’s because we still believe he has something valuable to offer the team,” Maresca explained. “We see him as someone who can play an important role in our squad next season. However, when the transfer window is open, speculation is inevitable. Things can change very quickly—new players might arrive, and current ones might leave.”
There have even been whispers of a potential swap deal between Chelsea and Manchester United, involving Nkunku and United’s young winger Alejandro Garnacho—who is reportedly one of Chelsea’s top transfer targets. With Jadon Sancho now back in the fold at United and Chelsea dealing with the unavailability of Mykhailo Mudryk, the London club is believed to be seeking reinforcements for their wide attacking positions.
Interestingly, some segments of the Chelsea fanbase have expressed openness to such a swap deal. Due to a string of injury setbacks since joining the club, Nkunku has struggled to make a consistent impact, which has led certain fans to suggest they would not be entirely disappointed if he were to be traded or sold during the summer transfer window.
