Former Australian international goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes Chelsea’s system does not suit forward Christopher Nkunku.
While he has impressed in the domestic cups and Europa Conference League, the former RB Leipzig star has scored just twice in 21 Premier League appearances this season.
Speaking to David Seaman’s ‘Seaman Says’ podcast via Betway, Schwarzer said the Blues have not given Nkunku a fair crack of the whip since signing him.
“I’ve seen him play a lot in Germany, and I’m a massive fan of him,” Schwarzer said. “I think he’s a really, really good player, but they don’t play to his strengths.
“There was one moment in the game where they did, and there was this straight, simple ball over the top, and Nkunku was lacking so much confidence.
“He wanted to hit it with his right but should have hit it with his left, and he looked to play across a little lob to Cole Palmer and it didn’t go very far because it was a really difficult one.
“The Christopher Nkunku from two seasons ago would have smashed it and scored. It’s a clear lacking of confidence and they’re not playing to his strengths whatsoever.”
Nkunku’s failure to live up to expectations at Chelsea sparked speculation about his future during the winter transfer window, but he remained with the club.
Manchester United were touted as a potential destination, although their style of play under manager Ruben Amorim is also unlikely to suit him.
Chelsea’s decision to sign the French international for £52 million looks baffling, given that he was never likely to fit into their tactical system.
The move is one of a plethora of questionable signings Chelsea have made over the past couple of years. Schwarzer believes the club’s transfer policy needs a rethink.
“Chelsea have done that a bit over the years,” Schwarzer added. “They bought players that don’t really fit their system.
“Nicholas Jackson does fit the way that Enzo Maresca wants to play. He’s hardworking, he’s pushing forward all the time, he stays up, he’ll put pressure on the defenders, whereas Nkunku is then coming, looking for the ball.
“There was one moment in the game where he was back as a centre-half because he felt like he just wasn’t getting any ball.
“He was getting high, balls lobbed up to him and he’s like, what am I going to do with that? You need to have him more involved.
“He’s one of those players, give him the ball, he’ll give it and go. He just doesn’t have that support around him.”
Nkunku’s struggles were laid bare at Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday after Maresca surprisingly chose him to lead the line.
The Blues slipped to a dismal 3-0 defeat at the Amex Stadium, and Nkunku was anonymous for much of the game.
Several pundits questioned Maresca’s decision to start Nkunku as a centre-forward and it is clear the manager is doing him no favours right now.
A move elsewhere looks inevitable for Nkunku this summer, but Chelsea will have to take a sizeable loss on the fee they paid for him.
