Maresca can drop Nkunku by unleashing “remarkable” Chelsea ace in new role

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea aspect can be seeking to get again to successful 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 objectives from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernández and Cole Palmer. Chelsea dominated the fixture, holding 64% possession, taking 17 photographs, creating two “large probabilities” and producing 1.69 xG.

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

Christopher Nkunku’s centre-forward challenge

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

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

Subsequently, Chelsea are usually not benefiting from the identical set of expertise 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 objectives 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 high scorers within the league this season) and Palmer now going 5 consecutive video games with out a aim contribution, Maresca can be tasked with discovering a technique to produce objectives towards Aston Villa.

Chelsea’s potential new striker resolution

A unique strategy the Italian coach may take is enjoying Pedro Neto via the center, offering an analogous skill to make runs in behind as Jackson did, subsequently stretching the pitch and affording that further little bit of area within the pockets for Palmer.

Not solely may this revitalise Palmer, but it surely may additionally carry 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 this point this season, scoring 4 objectives, offering 5 assists and totalling 1,617 minutes in all competitions.

Wolves coach, Shaun Derry, described Neto as a “exceptional” younger man who could be very severe about soccer, having nice enthusiasm for the sport which might be infectious all through a staff.

It is this type of vitality Chelsea may use proper now, and having Neto main the cost in a barely unorthodox position may have a trickle-down impact close to vitality and want.