Chelsea star linked with permanent exit despite being club's top goalscorer

The Frenchman has only started once in the Premier League this term - Chelsea's first game against Manchester City - and he was substituted off in the 58th minute.

Despite his limited time on the pitch, he's the club's top goal scorer this campaign after netting 10 goals - including the winner against Bournemouth after being on the pitch for just seven minutes.

However, reports from L'Equipe this week suggest the 27-year-old is weighing up his future at Stamford Bridge.

Now, a source close to the player has suggested to the The Athletic that the forward is not too happy with his current situation.

The source also said Nkunku has not made any complaints himself to the club, and is not trying to stir up any trouble with head coach Enzo Maresca.

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The 27-year-old featured heavily in pre-season while Cole Palmer was on an extended break after Euro 2024 and Nicolas Jackson was recovering from injury.

He has predominantly played in the Conference League and Carabao Cup, racking up a total of 688 minutes across all competitions.

He also scored a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup third round against Barrow.

Palmer is the club's second top scorer with seven, followed by Jackson on six.

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Before joining the club, the former RB Leipzig star had a successful stretch in Germany, recording 35 goals and 20 assists during the 2021/22 season, followed up by 32 goal involvements in the next season.

In need of a talisman after their 12th placed finish in the league in 2022/23, Chelsea snapped him up for £52m.

However a significant knee injury in pre-season against Borussia Dortmund kept him out for a large chunk of the campaign.

Nkunku's preferred position is as a second striker or no. 10, but that spot is secured by Palmer.

Speaking about the forward before their 8-0 thrashing of Noah in the Conference League, Maresca said: "Christo, every time he plays, he scores, and he does well.

"Also, he was probably our best player in pre-season, no doubt.

"He was playing then as an attacking midfielder and now we are using him as a nine, which we all know isn't his position, he's more a second striker or between the lines.

"But I try to find a solution and balance with all of them but not all of them can be in their position, they have to adapt a bit.

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"It's for Joao [Felix], Christo [Nkunku], Misha [Mudryk]. They are all players who deserve more chances in the Premier League, but there are also more players who deserve that."