Christopher Nkunku reacts to Marc Cucurella’s message amid Chelsea uncertainty
Christopher Nkunku is still battling to keep his Chelsea career alive as Enzo Maresca’s side progressed in the Club World Cup.
Chelsea‘s round of 16 clash with Benfica was overshadowed by a delay of almost two hours thanks to adverse weather conditions, which separated the first 85 minutes of the match from its climactic ending.
The introduction of Nkunku off the bench proved crucial for Chelsea after that elongated break, as the Frenchman and fellow substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored either side of Pedro Neto in extra time.
Those goals resulted in a 4-1 win, and Nkunku’s 15th of the season in all competitions draws him level with Cole Palmer as Chelsea’s top scorer despite being behind new arrival Liam Delap in the pecking order.
Cucurella sends Chelsea message after Club World Cup progress
Of Nkunku’s 15 goals in the 2024–25 season and Club World Cup, just three have come in the Premier League and the Chelsea striker has frequently been linked with moves to the likes of Manchester United.
Chelsea’s progression into the quarter-finals of FIFA’s revamped tournament continues the financial boost they’ve been given so far this summer, and their move for Brighton’s Joao Pedro is gathering pace.
Pedro’s former Seagulls team-mate Marc Cucurella saw out the entire 120 minutes for Chelsea either side of that weather-enforced break, and posted on Instagram (29 June) to celebrate their progress.
In a message liked by Nkunku and several other Blues players, Cucurella said: “Quarter finals!”
Nkunku exit inevitable as Chelsea line up another transfer
Football Insider Verdict
Most clubs bound for the Champions League next season would refrain from selling their joint-top scorer in the transfer window prior, but Nkunku’s goals haven’t been able to mask his current status at Chelsea.
Delap‘s £30million move from Ipswich was rushed through before Chelsea travelled to the Club World Cup, and has already seen him usurp both Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson up front in Maresca’s side.
The arrival of Pedro will throw another young, hungry number nine into the mix at Stamford Bridge, and with his impact not translating to consistent game-time, the time is now for Nkunku to leave Chelsea this summer.