Maresca can drop Nkunku by unleashing “outstanding” Chelsea ace in new function

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea aspect can be trying to get again to profitable methods within the Premier League, as they face Aston Villa at Villa Park, coming off the again of back-to-back defeats to Brighton within the final two weeks, not solely being knocked out of the FA Cup, but additionally dropping out of the highest 4 within the league.

The Blues smashed Villa 3-0 within the reverse fixture this marketing campaign at Stamford Bridge, with targets from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernández and Cole Palmer. Chelsea dominated the fixture, holding 64% possession, taking 17 photographs, creating two “massive probabilities” and producing 1.69 xG.

One problem Maresca must resolve heading into this recreation is the striker downside at Chelsea proper now, with Jackson and Marc Guiu each out injured, that means Christopher Nkunku has been the one filling within the hole up prime in latest weeks.

Christopher Nkunku’s centre-forward problem

Nkunku has made 32 appearances this season for Chelsea, being utilized in quite a lot of totally different roles by Maresca, scoring 13 targets in all competitions, offering 4 assists and totalling 1,417 minutes performed.

While his general aim tally is nice, it is the performance of the workforce that suffers with Nkunku within the aspect, as he is not enjoying in his pure attacking midfield place.

Due to this fact, Chelsea are usually not benefiting from the identical set of abilities Jackson brings to the aspect, making intelligent runs in behind, driving play forwards and opening up bigger areas for Cole Palmer to function inside. This has not solely seen a decline in targets from the striker, but additionally from Palmer himself in latest weeks.

With Jackson and Noni Madueke each out injured now (Chelsea’s second and third prime scorers within the league this season) and Palmer now going 5 consecutive video games with no aim contribution, Maresca can be tasked with discovering a strategy to produce targets towards Aston Villa.

Chelsea’s potential new striker answer

A special strategy the Italian coach might take is enjoying Pedro Neto via the center, offering the same potential to make runs in behind as Jackson did, due to this fact stretching the pitch and affording that further little bit of area within the pockets for Palmer.

Not solely might this revitalise Palmer, however it might additionally deliver a brand new dynamic to the entrance line, permitting the Blues to penetrate in behind once more, one thing they didn’t do towards Brighton regardless of the area afforded to them.

Neto has made 29 appearances to date this season, scoring 4 targets, offering 5 assists and totalling 1,617 minutes in all competitions.

Wolves coach, Shaun Derry, described Neto as a “outstanding” younger man who could be very critical about soccer, having nice enthusiasm for the sport which may be infectious all through a workforce.

It is this form of power Chelsea might use proper now, and having Neto main the cost in a barely unorthodox function might have a trickle-down impact almost about power and need.