Nkunku responds to Neto’s ‘see you’ message amid Chelsea exit rumours
Christopher Nkunku has responded after Pedro Neto penned a heartfelt message amid rumours that the Frenchman could leave Chelsea this summer.
Nkunku joined Chelsea in a £52million [BBC] move from RB Leipzig in 2023, but has struggled to make his mark in the Premier League in the two years since.
He netted just three goals in 27 top-flight appearances last season, and so looks set to depart the club this summer with Chelsea having splashed the cash on Brighton striker Joao Pedro, as well as signing Liam Delap.
Nkunku has emerged as a target for Spurs and Man United in recent weeks, while former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in May that Newcastle were targeting Nkunku amid uncertainty about Alexander Isak’s future.
Football Insider revealed on 1 July that Nkunku was set to make an imminent exit from Stamford Bridge, and he has now taken to social media to react to Neto after new developments.
Pedro Neto sends message to Chelsea fans
Chelsea recently emerged victorious in the Club World Cup as they beat PSG 3-0 in the final on Sunday (13 July) thanks to two strikes from Cole Palmer and another from new signing Pedro.
Portuguese international winger Neto was a key part of their success as he struck three times in six appearances in the newly revamped tournament, and he took to Instagram on Wednesday (16 July) to share a highlight reel of his first season at the club alongside a message saying: “See you next season” with praying, blue heart and star emojis.
Nkunku reacted to his post with a like, while Moises Caicedo replied with salute and blue heart emojis and Dario Essugo, Renato Veiga, Diogo Dalot and Raul Jimenez were among those who also left a like.
Chelsea should sell Nicolas Jackson over Nkunku
Football Insider verdict
Chelsea’s long list of recent signings has many definite hits and many definite misses, but it is tough to place Nkunku in said list, as he has struggled to impress but is still influential on the team two years on from his arrival.
His recent exploits against Benfica in the CWC were a clear example of that, as he came on as a late substitute in normal time and then poked Chelsea 2-1 in front after the game had gone to extra-time, leading them to eventually progress as 4-1 victors.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 62 | 18 | 5 |
Blues teammate Jackson had a poor tournament as he was sent off against Flamengo and saw Pedro and Delap impress in his absence, and there is a case to be made to keep Nkunku instead of the Senegalese international this summer.
The Frenchman is a more versatile player, as he can play in behind a striker and on either wing, as opposed to solely as a number nine, while it is believed to be “almost certain” that Chelsea will bid to sign Morgan Rogers if Aston Villa make a move to sign Jackson.
Football Insider recently revealed that the Villans are accelerating their pursuit of Jackson in the coming weeks, and so selling him could help them capture a target, which is why it makes more sense to let him leave over Nkunku.