8 minutes ago, yaz said:

It feels like it's board orders at this point.

Yeah is either that, or Maresca is even more inept that I currently think he is.

Deserves more than 6/7 mins per match in the league for sure. 

I don't buy the theory that Nkunku can't play as the striker, when you have Jackson just cruise through the game without even being noticed. It doesn't take 80+ minutes to realize Jackson is not having the game everyone wanted, so either Nukunku or someone else should be put in a lot earlier. You rather have a goal scorer on when the game is in the balance.

He must play before Jackson, he's just better footballer.

I believe if he had Jackson's minutes we could deliver much more.

9 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

Then play Palmer on the right and Nkunku behind the striker. Let's not pretend that there isn't an easy fix here.

Maybe it just doesn't work, wouldn't that be the first thing to try during training?

11 hours ago, Frankie8Lampard said:

Very sad to see such a good talent being wasted on the bench

For me it's a significant failing in the manager. As is the current use of Palmer which will ultimately undermine his confidence.

 

11 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Looking more likely he's off. No way he doesn't force himself out now. 

May as well take advantage of it and trying and leverage his sale with Gyorkeres. Paez can play and rotate with Palmer. 

There is nothing yet to suggest that Paez will even make the grade in competitive football.

11 hours ago, Gol15 said:

He can't compete with Palmer and he can't play as the solo striker as he needs a partner.

So not enough room for both Palmer and Nkunku in the middle there and it's fully understandable to invest in Palmer after last season, he is also younger and Nkunku is simply too good to be on the bench but not good enough to adapt to another role.

Nobody expected Palmer to be that good but technically we signed 2 players that naturally occupy that central area behind the striker and that need the space and freedom to roam, choosing Palmer over Nkunku is a logical move in this point in time.

It's like you have Rui Costa but then out of the blue comes Kaka. 

Disagree. Palmer's best performances for us have been playing in the right side half space, drifting in from the right. Nkunku's best position is off the striker in the left side half space. In an attacking sense they complement each other.

He can't play James at RB bombing up and down so he plays Gusto, who offers very little in an attacking sense. Palmer doesn't track back in that formation so Madueke plays on the ridiculous notion that he offers defensive cover. Therefore because Palmer has good football IQ he is shunted to the left half space and Nkunku is the collateral damage. 

It is Maresca doing what he said. Playing the way he wants and fck anyone else. If it wasn't for the medical team and the fitness of the players this season I'm pretty convinced we'd be staring down the barrel of a season similar to the last three.

57 minutes ago, Gol15 said:

Maybe it just doesn't work, wouldn't that be the first thing to try during training?

Not if he is under instructions.  We have a perfectly able left footer that has, and can, play left wing, in Chilwell but he won't even use him as cover. Not even against Burger King FC. This guy is a company man and gets away with it because they are all fit this season.

8 hours ago, icecoolguy22 said:

I don't buy the theory that Nkunku can't play as the striker, when you have Jackson just cruise through the game without even being noticed. It doesn't take 80+ minutes to realize Jackson is not having the game everyone wanted, so either Nukunku or someone else should be put in a lot earlier. You rather have a goal scorer on when the game is in the balance.

I mean to be fair, Nkunku has had his fair share of invisible games at striker against worse oppositions.

1 hour ago, Gol15 said:

Maybe it just doesn't work, wouldn't that be the first thing to try during training?

If you can't find a way to make a frontline of Neto, Nkunku and Palmer work then it's a sign you are a bit too rigid in your tactical thinking. 

2 minutes ago, Remodez said:

If you can't find a way to make a frontline of Neto, Nkunku and Palmer work then it's a sign you are a bit too rigid in your tactical thinking. 

It sees the whole premise of Marescas tactical idea is that wingers stay wide, which is why playing Palmer there isn't really effective. In one way I dont mind a coach who has a very clear philosophy with clear roles, but the negative consequence will be that players like Nkunku who dont REALLY fit any of the roles will be leaving. Personally I think Nkunku leaves in January, with Osimhen coming in - which with what they bring to the squad will overall strengthen us

With all that said, Palmer and Nkunku as 10's together in like a 3-4-3 would be really fun to see but alas, it seems its not to be

7 minutes ago, AndyDowsleftflank said:

It sees the whole premise of Marescas tactical idea is that wingers stay wide, which is why playing Palmer there isn't really effective. In one way I dont mind a coach who has a very clear philosophy with clear roles, but the negative consequence will be that players like Nkunku who dont REALLY fit any of the roles will be leaving. Personally I think Nkunku leaves in January, with Osimhen coming in - which with what they bring to the squad will overall strengthen us

With all that said, Palmer and Nkunku as 10's together in like a 3-4-3 would be really fun to see but alas, it seems its not to be

With how often I see Noni cutting in I don't really think Palmer playing on the right would be a problem, at least attacking wise anyway. I mean he moved Palmer out to the left v Arsenal so it's not like he's completely against Palmer out wide. 

Edited November 11, 20241 yr by Remodez

19 minutes ago, Remodez said:

If you can't find a way to make a frontline of Neto, Nkunku and Palmer work then it's a sign you are a bit too rigid in your tactical thinking. 

Nkunku likes to come out with his back to goal, into the same areas Palmer likes to cut inside to. Ive a feeling thats why he prefers Jackson, as he goes left mostly, frees up space for Palmer.

Rumours  that Utd are interested as they think he wants more playing time.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1974272/Man-Utd-Christopher-Nkunku-Chelsea

 

11 minutes ago, strider6004 said:

Rumours  that Utd are interested as they think he wants more playing time.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1974272/Man-Utd-Christopher-Nkunku-Chelsea

 

Perfect for Amorim's 3-4-2-1 ... just imagine him behind, say, Gyokeres ... yikes !

I think Nkunku needs to fight for his place. There comes the game where he sits behind Jackson. If that works he has a good chance to continue on that vein. Palmer can always play right side.

7 minutes ago, evissy said:

I think Nkunku needs to fight for his place. There comes the game where he sits behind Jackson. If that works he has a good chance to continue on that vein. Palmer can always play right side.

I think he is fighting quite well though. Can't do more than he has with the minutes he has been given. Does the job in Europe, against weak opposition, but it's the only place he is given the opportunity to perform, and he's doing it, but never gets rewarded for it.

5 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

There is nothing yet to suggest that Paez will even make the grade in competitive football.

Nothing?

He’s a full blown international being Ecuador’s #10, and is arguably the best footballer in the Ecuadorian league at 17 years old. 

If we are taking about someone to come in, learn off and be Palmer’s understudy, he’s more than ideal. 

27 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I think he is fighting quite well though. Can't do more than he has with the minutes he has been given. Does the job in Europe, against weak opposition, but it's the only place he is given the opportunity to perform, and he's doing it, but never gets rewarded for it.

Just like Mudryk.

55 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Nothing?

He’s a full blown international being Ecuador’s #10, and is arguably the best footballer in the Ecuadorian league at 17 years old. 

If we are taking about someone to come in, learn off and be Palmer’s understudy, he’s more than ideal. 

The Ecuadorian league, eh? Okay.

4 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

The Ecuadorian league, eh? Okay.

Ignoring the part he's a full blown international at 17, eh? 

Unless you are misinterpreting that I am in anyway comparing Paez to Nkunku, my point is that Paez is currently at a level where he can't be thrown into Premier League football right away, but rather eased into it. Hence my point that he's perfect to be Palmer's understudy. 

6 hours ago, AndyDowsleftflank said:

It sees the whole premise of Marescas tactical idea is that wingers stay wide, which is why playing Palmer there isn't really effective. In one way I dont mind a coach who has a very clear philosophy with clear roles, but the negative consequence will be that players like Nkunku who dont REALLY fit any of the roles will be leaving. Personally I think Nkunku leaves in January, with Osimhen coming in - which with what they bring to the squad will overall strengthen us

With all that said, Palmer and Nkunku as 10's together in like a 3-4-3 would be really fun to see but alas, it seems its not to be

Zero chance of this happening, wouldn’t pick up our call in his shoes. Why should he take a pay cut?

8 minutes ago, ducavis said:

Zero chance of this happening, wouldn’t pick up our call in his shoes. Why should he take a pay cut?

Not that I want Osimhen anymore (he and his agent were right knobheads), we are on course to qualify for Champions League which means their wages are incentivized to reflect that. 

Edited November 11, 20241 yr by Sconnie Blue

Nkunku currently averaging a goal every 68 minutes this season, and is our top scorer (10 goals) in spite of limited opportunities to play ... 

Edited November 11, 20241 yr by Sexyfootball