Owen Hargreaves has backed Christopher Nkunku to be the player to step up in the absence of Cole Palmer in the Europa Conference League.
Palmer has been left out of the squad for the league phase of the competition along with Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana as Enzo Maresca looks to manage their minutes.
The 22-year-old has been in brilliant form at the start of this season, but his absence offers an opportunity for one of Chelsea’s other attackers to step up.
Hargreaves backs Nkunku to step up in Palmer’s absence
Chelsea shouldn’t have any issues navigating the league phase of the competition given the quality they possess in attack and the standard of the opposition they will come up against.
The competition will offer the likes of Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Joao Felix a chance to show Maresca that they deserve to play more regularly in the Premier League.
With Palmer’s absence it’s a chance for one of the aforementioned to step up and fill the void left by the England international and Hargreaves has backed Nkunku to be that player.
“I think Nkunku could be the guy to replace Palmer [in the Conference League], he told TNT Sports as cited on X.com.
“I know he has had his fitness issues, but he’s such a complete player, he’s a good finisher and technically very good.
“They’ve got so many technical players at the top of the pitch that that they’ll be fine but I think Nkunku could be the one to make a difference in Palmer’s absence.”
Nkunku has found minutes tough to come by in the Premier League and has played just 117 minutes in the first six games, with his only goal the winner against Bournemouth.
The France international has featured regularly in the cup competitions and has scored five goals in three games including a hat-trick against Barrow in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Nkunku will be hoping to add to his goal tally against Gent on Thursday evening to try and force his way into the team for Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest.
