Frank Leboeuf says Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku is the only world-class player at the club
Former Chelsea man Frank Leboeuf didn’t hold back in his assessment of Mauricio Pochettino’s team following their lacklustre performance against Liverpool but was far more accepting of Christopher Nkunku. Chelsea’s current position at 10th in the Premier League table has raised concerns, and Leboeuf’s critique shed light on the team’s struggles, reserving praise for only a handful of players.
The 4-1 defeat to Liverpool prompted Leboeuf to scrutinize Chelsea’s defensive line, highlighting the evident shortcomings of the back four. In his evaluation, Thiago Silva emerged as the standout performer among the defenders, earning commendation for a relatively better display. Leboeuf, however, expressed his surprise at Djordje Petrovic’s decent showing in goal, suggesting that the situation could have been even more challenging for Chelsea without Petrovic’s contributions. Petrovic’s unexpected positive performance amid defensive struggles emphasized the difficult circumstances Chelsea faced during the match.
Beyond individual performances, Leboeuf delved into broader team dynamics, expressing concern about Chelsea’s apparent lack of cohesion and teamwork. His analysis pointed to a disjointed squad that struggles to function as a united and cohesive unit, a crucial element for success in competitive football.
Here is what he had to say via the Express:
“Defensively the four at the back were nowhere near it, Thiago Silva was better than the others,”
“Can you imagine that Petrovic had a good game? It could have been worse.”
“What we see right now is a team that doesn’t know how to play together. When Christopher Nkunku came on, I saw a different player. I saw someone who knows how to play internationally. The other Chelsea players? I don’t know. The others are mid-table players.”
Frankly Speaking!
Leboeuf’s critique extended to the overall team dynamics, asserting that the current Chelsea side appears disjointed and lacks cohesion. The former defender’s observations reflect a concern about the team’s inability to gel and function as a cohesive unit, a crucial element for success in competitive football.
A particular player singled out for praise by Leboeuf was Christopher Nkunku, who came on as a substitute during the match and scored the only one of Chelsea’s goals in the game against the Reds. Leboeuf identified Nkunku as a standout player with the ability to perform at the international level, making a clear distinction between him and some of his teammates.
This assessment implies a recognition of Nkunku’s potential to elevate Chelsea’s overall performance, contrasting with the perceived mid-table standard of some other players in the squad as evidence by the Blues’ lacklustre performance against Liverpool at Anfield.
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As Chelsea aim to rediscover their winning ways, critiques from former players like Leboeuf surely offer insights into the challenges the team currently faces and the areas that need urgent improvement. The former Chelsea player’s assessment certainly serves as a stark reminder of the high standards associated with the club and the urgency to rectify the issues that have contributed to their underwhelming performances.