Chelsea supporters are convinced £52m signing Christopher Nkunku is coming to the end of his disappointing spell at Stamford Bridge after he was left out of Enzo Maresca’s matchday squad to face Fulham.
Nkunku was a notable absence when Chelsea named their team for Sunday’s Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.
The Frenchman has endured a difficult stint in west London following his £52m move from RB Leipzig in 2023.
Fans wondered whether Nkunku had picked up an injury after he was omitted from Chelsea’s squad for the west London derby against Fulham.
But Maresca, speaking after a dramatic and crucial 2-1 victory, confirmed Nkunku’s absence was a ‘technical decision’.
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Maresca has been supportive of Nkunku during his struggles but fans are convinced a summer move is inevitable following the brutal Fulham snub.
‘He has to leave for his own sake,’ one supporter wrote on X, while another said: ‘This is the end of the road for Nkunku at Chelsea.’
‘Time to go’ was a sentiment echoed by many Chelsea fans after they watched the Blues mount a late fightback to down Fulham.
Chelsea looked set to go down to a deflating defeat following Alex Iwobi’s first-half opener but the visitors scored twice in the final ten minutes to turn the game around.
Teenager Tyrique George brought Chelsea level with his first Premier League goal before Pedro Neto snatched a winner in injury-time.
The victory means Chelsea climb above top-five rival Nottingham Forest ahead of their game in hand against Tottenham on Monday night.
Maresca reacts to Fulham win
Speaking after Chelsea’s much-needed victory, Maresca said: ‘From the outside it looks easier but when it is a must-win game, it’s not easy for the players when you are 1-0 down.
‘Second half we continued the way we have been since day one. We have five Premier League games and two in the Conference League – so seven games and they are all games we need to win.
‘I think we deserved to win the game. We started well in the first 20 minutes then we conceded a goal unfortunately and in a match that is must win, it’s not easy for the players.
‘It becomes more difficult but second half, we also changed something tactically and it was much better.’
On George’s performance, Maresca said: ‘He is a talent, he has to work hard.
‘He’s doing well with us, deserved a chance and the goal was fantastic. It was all very important because it gave us an energy boost for the last push.’
Maresca also alluded to Nkunku’s absence by explaining why Jadon Sancho was only named on the Chelsea bench.
He added: ‘Jadon is doing well but at this moment we have him, Madueke and Pedro Neto, and also Tyrique who can play wide.
‘In this moment they are all good so it is easy for me to decide but also easy to change because the ones who are out are doing well.’
Chelsea continue their Premier League campaign next weekend against Everton.
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