Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga react to Christopher Nkunku’s latest Chelsea message
Christopher Nkunku headlines a long list of Chelsea players with uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Enzo Maresca made use of 45 players over the course of last season and Chelsea’s squad size increased even further at the Club World Cup, with four players making their debuts at FIFA’s summer tournament.
Both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro made immediate impacts with the latter scoring both goals in Chelsea’s semi-final victory over Fluminense, and every outfield player in Maresca’s squad was given game-time.
Chelsea will be keen to prevent the size of his squad from ballooning any further next term and Maresca may look to sell players this summer, with Nkunku one of several who could be bound for the exit door.
Nkunku congratulates ‘everyone’ after Chelsea success
With 25 outfielders used across just seven matches at this summer’s Club World Cup, Chelsea now have a plethora of options in every position, but that number is expected to contract before the new season.
Nkunku has continually been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge with Man United emerging as a possible destination, despite scoring once in six Club World Cup appearances including three starts.
The 27-year-old started 25 of his 48 appearances in all competitions last term, and posted on Instagram (14 July) after Chelsea’s win over PSG in the final to reflect on the tournament and his season as a whole.
In a message liked by two other exit-linked players in Renato Veiga and Ben Chilwell, Nkunku said: “WORLD CLUBS CHAMPIONS! A great trophy to wrap up the season – Congrats to everyone”.
Chelsea trio destined for exits after transfer developments
Football Insider Verdict
The additions of Delap, Pedro, Kendry Paez, Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian this summer will provide Nkunku with further competition next season, as Chelsea prepare to shop him around in the market.
Mamadou Sarr is Chelsea’s only defensive addition so far, but that will be bad news for the already out-of-favour Veiga as he falls further down the pecking order following an unsuccessful loan to Juventus.
Chilwell was another deemed surplus to requirements very early on last season and Maresca is keen to get his exorbitant wages off the books this summer, but it remains to be seen if Chelsea will receive the kinds of offers they want for Chilwell, Veiga and Nkunku.