Why Chelsea May Need to Consider Selling Christopher Nkunku in 2025
Christopher Nkunku’s signing in 2023 was heralded as a turning point for Chelsea, with fans optimistic that the versatile French attacker could help the club rebound from a poor season under multiple managers, including Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, and Bruno Saltor.
Nkunku’s impressive record at RB Leipzig, where he amassed 70 goals and 56 assists in 172 games across various roles—including as a striker, creative playmaker, and box-to-box midfielder—made him an exciting prospect for Stamford Bridge.
However, 18 months later, Nkunku’s Chelsea career has not taken off as expected. Persistent injury issues restricted him to just 14 appearances in his debut season, only two of which were starts.
RelatedPosts
While he has shown glimpses of his talent this season, scoring 11 goals in 20 appearances, Nkunku has struggled to become a key player under Enzo Maresca. Instead, he often finds himself on the bench or limited to cup competitions.
Why Chelsea Should Consider Selling Nkunku
Despite being one of Europe’s top attackers, Chelsea’s circumstances have changed, and Nkunku’s role at the club is less defined.
The emergence of Nicolas Jackson as one of the Premier League’s top strikers and Cole Palmer’s rise to become one of the most in-form players globally have pushed Nkunku to the fringes.
Chelsea’s depth in attacking positions also complicates Nkunku’s future. Joao Felix is a capable backup to Palmer in the No. 10 role, while Victor Osimhen remains a priority transfer target.
Additionally, young talents like Marc Guiu, academy star Shim Mhueka—who shows potential to become a future England international—and the upcoming arrival of Kendry Paez further crowd the attacking roster.
With Chelsea unlikely to participate in the UEFA Conference League next season, Nkunku’s opportunities to contribute may dwindle further, making him a potential surplus asset.
Embed from Getty ImagesTiming and Financial Considerations
Nkunku’s age is also a factor. At 27, he remains valuable in the transfer market, but that value could decline if he continues to play a rotational role. A sale in 2025 could allow Chelsea to reinvest in other areas of the squad while maximizing his transfer fee.
Clubs like Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested, offering Chelsea a chance to recoup a significant portion of their investment.
While it seems counterintuitive to part ways with a player of Nkunku’s caliber, his diminishing role in the squad and Chelsea’s evolving priorities make a sale a logical step forward.
Why Chelsea May Need to Consider Selling Christopher Nkunku in 2025
