Nkunku’s hat-trick gives Maresca ‘nice problem’
Enzo Maresca says Chelsea’s in-form attackers are giving him a “nice problem” to solve.
Christopher Nkunku netted a hat-trick as the Blues cruised past Barrow in the Carabao Cup – after Nicolas Jackson scored twice at the weekend against West Ham.
It continued a marked improvement after a couple of troubled seasons prior to Maresca’s appointment as head coach this summer.
Chelsea are fifth in the table, just three points behind leaders and champions Manchester City, and are once again regarded by bookmakers as being among the strongest contenders for trophies this season – as sites like Rekatochklart.com show.
Maresca has a potential selection headache ahead of Chelsea’s next Premier League game, against Brighton, and suggested that Nkunku might have played his way into the plans.
“Both are doing fantastic, not only because they score but because of their work off the ball, the way they work for the team,” Maresca said.
“It’s a nice problem when you have two strikers who continue to score. It’s nice that you can decide which one will play because they are both in a good moment.”
Maresca added that he would like to try the pair as a strike partnership this season but feels that would upset the balance of the team.
He said: “We can play with Nicolas, Christopher, Cole Palmer, Joao Felix… fantastic. But then, who is defending?
“I would like to put all of them in, because I really like football and I like to keep the ball, but the problem is when you have to defend.”
On a less positive note for Chelsea, Reece James’ return from injury has been “delayed” and Maresca is unsure when the captain will be available again.
The 24-year-old has not played this season after suffering yet another injury setback during training.
James missed much of last term after he had surgery in an attempt to fix a recurring hamstring problem.
It was hoped he would return to action during the opening weeks of the season, but James continues to struggle.
“His injury is a bit delayed. The most important thing for him and for any injury is that they come back when they are 100%, and Reece is still out,” Maresca said.
“Unfortunately we don’t have an idea at the moment,” he added, when asked about a possible return date.
“In terms of injuries in the past, we always hope we can find the right solution. In this case he has been very unlucky.”
