Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku spotted playing in new position under Enzo Maresca during pre-season, video emerges

Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku was spotted playing in the number eight role during pre-season training. The French star usually operates in an attacking midfield position or plays out wide.

However, it looks like new coach Enzo Maresca is trying something different with the 26-year-old, who missed most of last season due to injury. In the end, he only made 14 appearances across competitions, bagging three goals.

You can watch it in the following video shared by @Blue_Footy on X:

When asked about where he would utilize Nkunku, Maresca spoke about the latter's versatility (via The Sun):

"He can play everywhere, he can play everywhere. He's one of those players that in these two weeks is doing very very well. He is already taking the way we want to play, that is important.

"As I said, these kind of players for me, they can play winger, they can play attacking midfielder, they can play No.9, they can play in different positions."

He added:

"What we are going to try is to try to have players that they can play in different positions, that's the way I see the football, and also that's the way I like to work everyday to improve players and help them not only play in one position, that they can play in different positions."

The Blues fans are yet to get a good look at Nkunku, who signed for the club from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of £52 million.

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Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku provides fitness update ahead of new season

Christopher Nkunku

Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku has stated that he is fit and ready to go for the new season. Last year, he missed 39 matches across competitions due to fitness-related issues.

The French forward has been spotted on the training pitch in pre-season, which will fill Blues fans with confidence. Speaking about his fitness, Nkunku said (via Standard):

"I am feeling better after the difficult season last year. I am feeling better.

"I had a nice break during the summer. I needed it. I worked a little bit before coming here, but it was important for me to break after this year, for my head also. It was good."

He added:

"Now I am working in every training session to stay fit and go forward in a good way."

Thanks to the emergence of Cole Palmer, Chelsea did not particularly miss Nkunku in that role. However, with issues on the left flank and in the number nine position, they would've liked to have the Frenchman available.