Pochettino hints at preferred role for Christopher Nkunku after Wrexham goal

Christopher Nkunku playing for Chelsea — Nkunku grabbed a goal in the 5-0 win over Wrexham (Picture: Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino has explained he utilised Christopher Nkunku in a number no9 role in the friendly win over Wrexham due to the lack of other striker options in his Chelsea squad.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Blues eased to a 5-0 win over the League Two side in Florida in the early hours of Thursday morning in what was Pochettino’s first game in charge.

Nicolas Jackson, signed from Villarreal in a £32million deal this summer, led the line from the start, providing an assist for Ian Maatsen’s opener with Nkunku introduced at half-time.

The France international got on the score sheet himself in added time.

‘I am happy because of the attitude and now is time to improve,’ Pochettino said in his post-match press conference.

‘It is part of the process to plan the way we want to play and of course be in the physical condition also. I am happy with the performance and we keep going.’

Asked specifically about Nkunku’s performance, he added: ‘The most important thing now is to get good feelings.

Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring for Chelsea — The Frenchman replaced Nicolas Jackson at half-time (Picture: Getty)

‘We start again to play now after the holidays. There are players who didn’t play, other players [who] came are at different levels and now it is about getting everyone at similar level to try and compete for the things this season.’

With Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang expected to leave the club in the coming weeks, Chelsea are in the market for another option up front.

Nkunku developed a reputation as a ruthless finisher during his time with RB Leipzig and regularly featured in a role off the main striker.

With options through the middle limited for the time being, Pochettino suggested he does not see Nkunku’s regular role being as a no9 having deployed him in that makeshift role against Wrexham.

‘I think for the possibility today and the different players we have available and I think it’s a position we decide today… we only have Jackson and him with the possibility to play as a striker,’ Pochettino said.

MORE : Chelsea consider move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi

MORE : West Ham enter race for Chelsea star who has impressed Mauricio Pochettino

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our T witter, & Facebook

We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.

For all the latest Football News Click Here

Read original article here

Denial of responsibility! Rapidtelecast.com is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.