Chelsea star urged to stay amid Manchester United transfer rumors

Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has been advised against leaving Stamford Bridge as rumors of interest from Manchester United swirl, with some labeling such a move as 'mad'.

Nkunku joined Chelsea in a £52m deal from RB Leipzig in 2023 but he only made 11 Premier League appearances last season due to injury issues.

The 26-year-old appears to have overcome those problems this term and has been in impressive goalscoring form, contributing 10 goals in 16 games.

But the vast majority of those goals have been in the Europa Conference League and the Carabao Cup, with Nkunku only starting one league game under new Blues boss Enzo Maresca.

Nkunku has been forced to play back-up to the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer and reports have suggested he is growing frustrated with his lack of game-time in west London.

A number of teams have reportedly expressed interest in signing the France international and Manchester United have even been linked with a January move.

But ex-Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has told Nkunku he would be ‘mad’ to leave Stamford Bridge and insists he can start to have a big impact in the team.

‘His start to life at the club was quite tough when he suffered his injury and we don’t know if he’s fully over that yet,’ Johnson told Betfred.

‘In spells, we’ve seen some really good stuff from him and as Chelsea are going in the right direction, he would be mad to jump ship now.

‘They’re in a much better position now and if he can get fit and get himself in the starting eleven, then Chelsea have a good player on their hands. He just doesn’t look fully fit yet.’

United are being linked with Nkunku as new manager Ruben Amorim gets his feet under the table at Old Trafford following his departure from Sporting Lisbon.

Last month, Glenn Hoddle questioned whether Nkunku was ‘happy’ at Chelsea and suggested he could look to leave ahead of the January transfer window.

Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Panathinaikos, Hoddle said of Nkunku: ‘The injuries are obviously there, he knows he’s not quite at his sharpest yet.

‘When I look at Chelsea’s forwards, I think Nkunku would be more clinical than Nicolas Jackson if he had the same time on the pitch and had his chances so far this season.

‘Jackson is obviously improving and getting more confident, he has the manager’s faith and backing right now.

‘Whether Nkunku is going to be happy… he might be one that will think he needs to leave come January if this is still happening.’

Ex-Chelsea forward Eni Aluko, meanwhile, said she was a ‘big fan’ of Nkunku and backed him to challenge Jackson for a place in the team.

‘I like him a lot,’ she said. ‘He’s a threat, he’s an intelligent player and he can play in a few different positions.

‘He’s really sharp but he’s been unfortunate because he hasn’t got into a groove because of those injuries.

‘But I think he can really compete for that No. 9 spot with Nicolas Jackson. I’m a big fan, I really like him.’

Chelsea drew 1-1 with Arsenal last time out, with Nkunku coming on as a late substitute in the Stamford Bridge stalemate.

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