Christopher Nkunku sends Chelsea update pre-Aston Villa showdown
Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has given fans an update as the team prepare for their crucial Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Chelsea will travel to Villa Park on 22 February, looking to bounce back from their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brighton. Ahead of the match, Nkunku shared a glimpse of his training preparations, signalling his focus on the upcoming fixture.
Football Insider previously revealed that Manchester United were interested in signing Nkunku during the January transfer window, but no deal materialised.
Instead, the Frenchman remained at the Blues, and now has an important part to play, with Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu both sidelined through injury.
Christopher Nkunku yet to find his rhythm at Chelsea
The French forward shared an image from training on his Instagram story, hinting at his expected role as Chelsea’s main attacking option against Aston Villa.
Nkunku has endured a frustrating season at Chelsea, struggling with injuries and limited game time. He has started just four Premier League matches but has still maintained an impressive scoring record, netting 13 times across all competitions.
He led the line for Chelsea in their last match against Brighton, but he struggled to make an impact. With attacking options limited, Nkunku is expected to play more often as there are no other options that can play up-front.
There were reports linking Nkunku in a swap deal involving Man United’s Alejandro Garnacho, as both clubs showed interest in the players. However, with attacking options already thin for both sides, no deal materialised.
| Stat comparison in the Premier League | Christopher Nkunku | Nicolas Jackson |
| Appearances | 21 | 23 |
| Starts | 4 | 22 |
| Goals | 2 | 9 |
| Assists | 1 | 5 |
Enzo Maresca must put faith in Nkunku during Nicolas Jackson’s absence
Maresca has largely stuck with a consistent Premier League starting XI while rotating his squad in cup competitions, a strategy that has left some players uncertain about their roles, leading them to leave the club.
Renato Veiga left Chelsea due to a lack of opportunities, with Marc Cucurella being preferred in the league, whilst Joao Felix has already claimed he’s happy at AC Milan, where he is enjoying regular game time after suffering the same problem as Nkunku.
With injuries and departures leaving Chelsea short in attack, Nkunku now has the chance to prove himself. His upcoming test against Aston Villa will be crucial, as both teams look to strengthen their bids for a Champions League spot.