Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed feeling “shame” for Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix, who have not made it into his starting 11 this season.
- The Blues have started the 2024/25 campaign positively, largely due to Maresca’s clarity on his best team for matchday.
- Throughout the opening phase of the season, Nicolas Jackson has been utilized as the striker, supported by Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and now Pedro Neto.
- Neither Nkunku nor Felix has found a place in the starting 11 for Premier League matches, despite their hefty price tags.
- Nkunku was signed last summer from RB Leipzig for £52m and may consider an exit next summer if his situation remains unchanged.
- Felix joined Chelsea this summer, with the club paying Atletico Madrid £46.3m for the Portuguese forward.
- Ahead of Chelsea’s match with Noah on Thursday night, Enzo Maresca has expressed feeling “shame” for the situations of Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix in West London.
- Maresca stated, “I feel shame for Christo Nkunku… because in pre-season he was our best player,” highlighting Nkunku’s strong performance during the pre-season.
- He mentioned that they had to adapt players and moved Nkunku to striker, despite him not being a natural number 9.
- Regarding Joao Felix, Maresca said, “I feel shame about João, but not only about him,” acknowledging the challenges in providing him more playing time.
He emphasized the need for balance in the team, stating, “We cannot play with Joao, Cole and Nkunku.”
