Enzo Maresca fires message to Christopher Nkunku over Chelsea exit rumours

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has assured Christopher Nkunku he still has a future at Stamford Bridge amid reports of a possible January departure.

After missing the majority of last season through injury, Nkunku has failed to force his way into Maresca’s starting lineup this year, operating as a reserve for Nicolas Jackson and instead seeing most of his minutes in the Conference League.

There have been reports claiming Nkunku has grown frustrated with his role at Chelsea, with Barcelona said to be exploring a possible transfer.

Maresca, however, has made it clear that he wants to keep hold of Nkunku, but confessed he would not stand in the way of any player who wishes to leave.

“We like Christo and we want him here and there will always be players that are not happy,” Maresca said. “I am not sure if that will be Christo’s case. We want to keep him here because we are happy with him.

“We aren’t thinking about players who want to leave. We are not thinking that this or that player has to leave. We are just thinking about how to win games. If they knock on the door and they want to leave, I’m not going to say: ‘No, no, you have to stay here, 100%’.

“If they want to leave, the best thing for everyone is that the players who aren’t happy are going to leave.”

Maresca has previously admitted that other fringe players, like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Guiu, will have to decide whether they are happy continuing to fight for starting minutes, with Chelsea not looking to part ways with the vast majority of players unless they request a move.

However, the likes of Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka, who are firmly towards the bottom of the pecking order under Maresca, are expected to be available for a January switch.