Christopher Nkunku has not played nearly as much as anyone would have expected this season so far, but he’s just made a huge contribution to Chelsea.
Jadon Sancho played him in, and he took advantage of a split second hesitation in the Bournemouth defence to find a gap in the box, turn and shoot. It was a moment of class in a scrappy game, and might have just won it.
Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer feel undroppable, but with Pedro Neto taken off at half time today, we could well see more Nkunku in the next few weeks. The last 18 months have been difficult – could tonight be the turning point? He’s certainly got the skillset to play, like Sancho did at times tonight, as a sort of inside forward on the left.
You can see the goal in the clips embedded here:
[Footage from Sky Sports]
https://x.com/footballatest_/status/1835057144468488479
[Footage from Canal+]
🎙️ "When you can bring on class, that's what can happen."
Brilliant from Christopher Nkunku 👏🔵 pic.twitter.com/4obtOO7IOb
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 14, 2024
[Footage from Sky Sports]
Time for the Sancho doubters (and those who rushed to condemn the ownership for snatching him up) to make an apology. Nkunku was pure class on the finish, but Sancho was brilliant from the moment he came on.
But what a complete shambles Anthony Taylor was! Set an EPL record by awarding 14 (mostly petty) YCs. Absolutely pathetic.