Enzo Maresca has suggested that Christopher Nkunku is an option at centre-forward for Chelsea this season as the club look for solutions in the final third.
Chelsea have been linked with signing a number nine this summer to ease the pressure on Nicolas Jackson, who lacked competition for a place during a mixed first season at Stamford Bridge.
Nkunku also arrived at Chelsea last summer but endured a nightmare debut campaign, as the Frenchman was injured in pre-season and restricted to just 437 minutes of Premier League football.
The 26-year-old scored 58 goals across his final two seasons at RB Leipzig and is hoping to bounce back this time around.
New head coach Maresca admits he has been impressed with Nkunku in training to date. The Blues begin their pre-season campaign against Wrexham in the United States on Wednesday evening and ahead of the clash, Maresca suggested the flexibility of the French forward can be crucial for Chelsea.
“Nkunku can play everywhere. He’s doing very well already,” Maresca said at a pre-match press conference.
“He can play number nine, winger, attacking midfielder… he can play everywhere. I see football with player able to play in several positions.
“I want players to develop and play in several positions.”
Maresca said he was looking forward to connecting with the Chelsea fans on the first game of their USA Tour.
“It is always important to have a connection with the fans. The fans in the US, the fans in England, the fans anywhere.
“We have not had the chance to visit the city because we arrived very late [last night] and we had a session this afternoon. [But] it is always nice to share time with our fans abroad, not only in England.
“As a player or a manager, I have been here many times and it is always a pleasure.”
