Mauricio Pochettino reveals he used Christopher Nkunku as No. 9 due to dearth of strikers
Mauricio Pochettino asserted he employed Christopher Nkunku in the central forward line due to a lack of No. 9 in their 5-0 win over Wrexham in a pre-season match.
The French forward got his name on the scoresheet with a delightful strike in 90 minutes to make it 4-0 alongside Conor Gallagher, Ian Maatsen, and Ben Chilwell.
However, the Blues currently only have Nicolas Jackson and Nkunku as their No. 9 options in their 29-man squad for pre-season games after Armando Broja was told to recover from his injury, and David Datro Fofana has been loaned to Union Berlin.
Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku’s future at Chelsea is doubtful, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has agreed to join Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille. However, Chelsea’s boss was happy with Nkunku’s performance and stated he had no other option but to play the former RB Leipzig player as a striker.
Speaking after the game, the 51-year-old stressed he doesn’t see the 25-year-old as a striker despite playing him in that position (h/t Metro) and further stated:
‘‘I think for the possibility today and the different players we have available, I think it’s a position we decide today… We only have Jackson and him with the possibility to play as a striker.”
The 51-year-old certainly has limited options for pre-season games in the no. 9 role, which indicates the Blues will need a striker despite having Jackson and Broja for next season. Broja is young, and the former Villarreal striker could need time to become comfortable once the Premier League season starts.
The pre-season matches are good for the players to adjust to Pochettino’s system, but when we face actual competitive sides it will be different from pre-season games.
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It will be interesting to see where he utilizes Nkunku in the long run. The Frenchman is versatile enough to play absolutely anywhere on the pitch in midfield, attack, and in the full-back area.
If fans thought Nkunku playing as a striker gave them a hint on where he will be used next season, then they have been told they are wrong by the gaffer himself.