On 26/12/2024 at 19:11, Scott Harris said:

The problem is that Nkunku is not a striker. It you're going to bring him on, pair him up with Jackson. Have him play off Jackson, not just bring him on like for like. A lot of this comes down to Maresca's refusal to move Palmer around. Palmer is a brilliant footballer, but like we saw once again today in that second half, you can nulify him by quickly surrounding him when he gets on the ball. We can take the work load off Palmer by switching things up as the game is going on. If it's needed, then move him to the right and bring either Nkunku or Felix on.

Maresca seems reluctant to make any tactical changes.

Fulham would have been an ideal opportunity to put this into effect. Either Sancho or Neto could have been rested. Personally I would have brought Sancho off and switched Neto.

Then with Robinson's desire to keep pushing forward Palmer could have moved back to the right side coming into the half space and exploiting the space left by Robinson. Nkunku could have then taken the middle and acted as a second striker, being clinical when Jackson inevitably trod on the ball or overhit his second touch by 5 yards.

On 26/12/2024 at 20:18, axman2526 said:

I would guess Nkunku now wants to leave, the sooner the better.

I wouldn't say now. Since probably October more like.

But can we blame him. Whilst we love everything to do with the club he has been denied an opportunity to build an affinity with the fans, he's played in Mickey mouse games with the kids and B team, he's then being brought on as a closer or more often as an act of desperation because Jackson has not delivered. Stamford Bridge, much as we love it, is not an amphitheatre of raucous passion and noise. Its an average size stadium and a crowd that isn't particularly partizan or loud, which is often as a result of the stunted play and lack of intensity. 

Thus guy thrives on adoration and intensity in the attack. Sadly he just doesn't seem to meet our model.

I am certain that once he leaves us, probably in January this guy will return to this standard whilst we continue to plug away with the hapless Jackson.

 

Edited December 28, 20241 yr by WhiteWall

Is he not still our first or second top scorer this season? He CAN play up front, and he would score loads of goals if given the opportunities (starts/minutes) that the Donkey has been given. 

He is better than Jackson at everything. 

Better finisher. Better at dribbling. Better at controlling and passing. Better at running in behind. 

I would say the only area they are close is heading and winning physical duels - where they both seem pretty poor. 

If we break down the areas of the game - Nkunku is better. If we break down the whole/collective - Nkunku is better. If we break down only the vital key areas for a striker - Nkunku is better.

So Maresca is either a) too stubborn or inflexible or b) he is getting orders from up top who want Chris gone to reduce the wages.  

Just think about this - we are forcing a genuinely class player out of the club, because we keep backing a player who most agree is inferior in every way.  

It is madness.

6 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

I wouldn't say now. Since probably October more like.

Not surprising given the disrespectful way he has been treated. It is disgusting treatment 

9 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

Not surprising given the disrespectful way he has been treated. It is disgusting treatment 

Yep, I have actually added to my original post whilst you were posting this. Think we're of a similar mindset.

4 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Yep, I have actually added to my original post whilst you were posting this. Think we're of a similar mindset.

Don't put yourself down like that mate 

Edited December 28, 20241 yr by timetowaste

It would be so idiotic if Nkunku doesn't get a chance to start. Yes, he isn't a striker, but Jackson has been woeful for a while now, there needs to be standards where if you're not performing, you're dropped. He's done it with Noni and Veiga so it needs to be applied to everyone.

If am his agent I am looking for a new club. There is no way a player of his calibre should be second fiddle no way.

Hasn’t helped himself with the minutes he’s got this season even if he is being played slightly out of position. 

Quality player being played out of position. Shame but it’s never going to work for him at this club. 

If he’s not willing to give Ipswich a fight and match their intensity, then he should be moved on.

3 minutes ago, MyWord said:

Quality player being played out of position. Shame but it’s never going to work for him at this club. 

He played CAM and looked equally pedestrian like

6 minutes ago, Dubair said:

Hasn’t helped himself with the minutes he’s got this season even if he is being played slightly out of position. 

It's not even a position problem anymore, he's just not doing the basics.

Half hearted effort to press, movement just non-existent and on the situations where he was lucky the ball ended up at his feet in and around the box he constantly made the wrong choices. 

Embarrassing performance, I've seen Felix put in a better shift at striker under Poch than this. 

Ah come on, does anyone believe he still wants to be here? He is saving himself for a transfer and is hoping it is in January.

Can't do anything coming off the bench, can't do anything as a starter either.

The one player that had the lowest odds of being a flop has become just that.

Really disappointed. One of the most talented players in the squad, but looks like he doesn't care. Appaling effort levels today, even if he's not a striker.

He’s had enough and wants to go, could you really blame him?

This is on Maresca, he could have handled it much better and rotated him with Jackson.

We are going to be cursing Maresca when Nkunku hits top form for another team, I pray it’s not a premier league team. That would be embarrassing.

Just let him go.

Sale or loan to buy for the summer. He does not want to be here, is a top earner. Let him go.

Peaheart. 

Sell him. It's not about systems or quality anymore, if you don't want to be here just leave and get us a different striker

8 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

He’s had enough and wants to go, could you really blame him?

This is on Maresca, he could have handled it much better and rotated him with Jackson.

We are going to be cursing Maresca when Nkunku hits top form for another team, I pray it’s not a premier league team. That would be embarrassing.

100% agree Dan.

I could come up with a load of excuses like him not getting enough game time and him not being played in the correct position, but there's no excuse for playing like you can't be bothered. He had a chance to at least stand out a bit but he didn't take his chance. 

I don't care if Maresca shagged his mum, there's no excuse to be playing like that.

You've just been given an opportunity and that's how you perform? Like you couldn't give a sh*t? Very disappointing. 

9 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

He’s had enough and wants to go, could you really blame him?

This is on Maresca, he could have handled it much better and rotated him with Jackson.

We are going to be cursing Maresca when Nkunku hits top form for another team, I pray it’s not a premier league team. That would be embarrassing.

We need to loan or preferably sell him asp, BUT only outside the PL, i can see City (KDB (33),Silva (31),Gundogan (34) all finished) Utd (desperate for a player like him), Arsenal (replace Jesus, play behind Haverertz), and Tottenham (walk into their team) making bids as they all need a player like him, our owners would have no problem selling him to any of these and he will come good guaranteed...

10 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

He’s had enough and wants to go, could you really blame him?

This is on Maresca, he could have handled it much better and rotated him with Jackson.

We are going to be cursing Maresca when Nkunku hits top form for another team, I pray it’s not a premier league team. That would be embarrassing.

I absolutely can blame him. There's no excuse for being unprofessional. 

He's been given a chance finally regardless of how he feels, a player with a better mentality would be using this as an opportunity to prove the manager wrong. Especially when his competition is going through a bad patch so there's a very good chance he could play next game as well if he performed.

Sorry but this is completely unacceptable.