11 hours ago, Victor90 said:

Far from Maresca's biggest fan and his way of playing, but I heavily dislike 'system' players like this, he can only play well in a certain type of system? Surely top players can be versatile enough to perform no? And Chelsea isn't the club for players like that given how many times we change managers.

It's why I never liked the idea of getting Havertz when we did. Nkunku's performances have been sh*te, not sure if he's just massively overrated or has a bad attitude. Either way, one of which is a good idea to get rid of him. Not bothered about him going at all, injury prone, lack of effort, hasn't really done anything since being here.

I do agree to an extent - but then the reverse argument is that if you put Messi as a 9 up front, and lobbed it long for him to compete and win in aerially, he probably wouldnt do very well. Messi needs it on the ground, with the goal in front of him. In reality, most players are system players in the modern game.

11 hours ago, nonotnowjim said:

I do agree to an extent - but then the reverse argument is that if you put Messi as a 9 up front, and lobbed it long for him to compete and win in aerially, he probably wouldnt do very well. Messi needs it on the ground, with the goal in front of him. In reality, most players are system players in the modern game.

I think you could put Messi anywhere on the wings, in the midfield (maybe not CDM), as a false 9 or even a striker running the channels and he would excel. His movement is just so good and once he has it under control good luck getting it off him.

Saying he's a system player because he isn't going to be winning aerial challenges is a bit of a stretch. Also, Nkunku wasn't expected to win the aerial challenges - our style was either play it to feet or (very rarely) in behind. Not lump it up and contest it with the CBs.

Because that's exactly what we did with Nkunku. Played him at ST and just hoofed it at him.

Even at Maresca's worse the team still played a progressive approach where the goal was to keep the ball and create chances with players receiving the ball to feet (Nkunku likes the ball to feet).

The fact we looked like playing with 10 men with Nkunku on the pitch is telling.

13 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Because that's exactly what we did with Nkunku. Played him at ST and just hoofed it at him.

Even at Maresca's worse the team still played a progressive approach where the goal was to keep the ball and create chances with players receiving the ball to feet (Nkunku likes the ball to feet).

The fact we looked like playing with 10 men with Nkunku on the pitch is telling.

When?

5 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

When?

Sarcasm.

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Because that's exactly what we did with Nkunku. Played him at ST and just hoofed it at him.

Even at Maresca's worse the team still played a progressive approach where the goal was to keep the ball and create chances with players receiving the ball to feet (Nkunku likes the ball to feet).

The fact we looked like playing with 10 men with Nkunku on the pitch is telling.

nobody said we did - I was using the example as an argument against the logic that "a good player should be able to play in any system and style"

37 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

nobody said we did - I was using the example as an argument against the logic that "a good player should be able to play in any system and style"

The discussion wasn't about any old good player though, you keep saying he's world class.

A world class player should at least resemble a footballer in at least one of the ways we've played and roles since signing.

1 hour ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

The discussion wasn't about any old good player though, you keep saying he's world class.

A world class player should at least resemble a footballer in at least one of the ways we've played and roles since signing.

I disagree. A world class player, played out of position, and in a system and style that doesnt suit him, has every chance of looking bang average in the wrong set up.

Nkunku downed tools - unforgivable. But he was wasted in the way he was used. If he stays, lets see if Maresca learns his lesson.

Just now, nonotnowjim said:

I disagree. A world class player, played out of position, and in a system and style that doesnt suit him, has every chance of looking bang average in the wrong set up.

Nkunku downed tools - unforgivable. But he was wasted in the way he was used. If he stays, lets see if Maresca learns his lesson.

Which of the umpteen ways he was used was wrong? Several systems, several positions. Dog sh*te in all of them.

Just another Bundesliga fraud.

He also didn’t down tools for anyone who’s actually paid attention.

He was played out wide or up front as a lone 9. Don't remember one time he was played in his preferred 2nd striker position alongside someone else.

He was played in a system that built so slowly, sideways, backwards, recycled passing. Dont remember many times he was played in a team that moved the ball forward progressively and at pace. It is all slow and boring - the same reason you (and I....and many others) have been critical of Maresca.

Despite being played out of position, he still got 23 goal contributions over 2842 mins for us - a goal every 123 mins.

14 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

He also didn’t down tools for anyone who’s actually paid attention.

Well - thats not the view of me, or many others on here.... it very much appeared he downed tools.

On 29/04/2025 at 08:17, Zeta said:

He'll probably come good at another PL team. He just seems completely disinterested here.

On 23/02/2025 at 07:11, abramovich said:

One of the more experienced players in the squad and yet he's the first one to give up when things aren't going well.

On 23/02/2025 at 11:22, Andy North said:

I think both him and Maresca have let the club and fans down. Maresca has failed to generate any competition between Jackson and Nkunku and Nkunku has failed to put in any serious effort when called upon.

On 24/02/2025 at 13:17, TheCeleryKing said:

He played like a player who wants to leave.

On 24/02/2025 at 13:55, PhilH930 said:

I'll back any player, even on the worst of days, but his attitude is rotten. He's given me Bogarde vibes!

On 25/02/2025 at 08:41, Guest said:

Nkunku is pony - Not seen an attitude that stinkingly bad in years.

On 18/03/2025 at 11:40, Nibs said:

Not going to lie, have been really disappointed with Nkunku.

Thought he was going to be great for us but he's been far from that and the attitude stinks.

On 07/04/2025 at 09:38, RMH said:

I'm surprised that no one has commented on here Nkunku's performance.... It was shocking. Just jogging around, no effort, no attempt to press, withdrew from every 50/50, it would be laughable if it wasn't because he plays in Chelsea blue.

On 07/04/2025 at 11:25, Sexyfootball said:

Obvious for months that the club doesn't want Nkunku, so I totally get why he has mentally checked out.

On 07/04/2025 at 11:53, Remodez said:

Anyone with a shred of dignity and integrity would react positively to finally being given chances after being frozen out and do their very best to prove the manager/club wrong. Even if you want to leave the club it still benefits you to actually try and perform to gather more interest come the summer.

On 07/04/2025 at 12:02, dkw said:

Absolute disgrace, he shu0ldnt get any more game time for us after the way hes been wandering around since xmas. Lack of professionalism, the idle w**ker.

On 07/04/2025 at 12:09, hawkster said:

Lazy,disinterested and total hole shouldn't even be on the bench...

On 18/04/2025 at 11:54, C3blue said:

My take on Nkunku is that he is a good player who has never been given a run in the side at all, certainly not in his best position. I think now the damage has been done and he has checked out. I don’t like players who down tools but I feel maresca has to take some responsibility for it.

2 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

Well - thats not the view of me, or many others on here.... it very much appeared he downed tools.

Oi, where is my mention. And i thought we were friends. Last time you get to see pictures of my sister in her swimming costume.

Just now, nonotnowjim said:

Well - thats not the view of me, or many others on here.... it very much appeared he downed tools.

He’s lost all his agility and explosiveness. That’s was an integral part of his game and now he looks redundant in this league.

4 minutes ago, loz said:

Oi, where is my mention. And i thought we were friends. Last time you get to see pictures of my sister in her swimming costume.

ahh - never quote you, mod or val - dont want to get on the wrong side of royalty. :D

.....now this sister. Is her name Pamela?

2 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

ahh - never quote you, mod or val - dont want to get on the wrong side of royalty. :D

.....now this sister. Is her name Pamela?

She answers to anything...for the right price.

32 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

He also didn’t down tools for anyone who’s actually paid attention.

Yes he did.

5 minutes ago, loz said:

She answers to anything...for the right price.

Just spent my last £10 on the stadium tour..... shame.

13 minutes ago, loz said:

Oi, where is my mention. And i thought we were friends. Last time you get to see pictures of my sister in her swimming costume.

That was your sister? I thought it was you in a wig.

12 minutes ago, dkw said:

Yes he did.

He suffered 2 serious knee injuries and a hamstring tear. For a player that relied heavily on his quick feet and nimbleness to explode past players, it isn't surprising he can't influence the game in any way he used to unless it's against very weak opposition.

2 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

He suffered 2 serious knee injuries and a hamstring tear. For a player that relied heavily on his quick feet and nimbleness to explode past players, it isn't surprising he can't influence the game in any way he used to unless it's against very weak opposition.

That's not the problem, it was his total amd utter lack of effort, he literally was wandering around completely disinterested.

Not sure if Meresca has had any change of heart or their finding it harder to shift him, he’s turned down a few offers from prem clubs apparently whether it’s wages or status who knows.

I hope he gets a move we get a decent fee and the manager doesn’t have an unhappy player who he doesn’t want or need.

45 minutes ago, dkw said:

That was your sister? I thought it was you in a wig.

It was for you.

1 minute ago, loz said:

It was for you.

Worth every single penny of the £3.80 and a packet of chocolate digestives....keeps the kids away from the front door.

So all I want to know is, are we going to make a profit or loss on this guy?