Christopher Nkunku will be left with a major decision to make on his future as early as the winter transfer window with no chance of getting one over Nicolas Jackson as Chelsea's starting nine

The Frenchman enjoyed successful spells at RB Leipzig before securing a big-money move to the English Premier League club as part of Chelsea's rebuild during the reign of Mauricio Pochettino in the summer of 2023.

Nkunku joined in a deal worth £52 million on the back of winning the Bundesliga top scorer award and the club had hoped he would bring the goals, as well the end to their difficulties in getting them.

The club had to let go of German duo, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, who both failed to live up to expectations after also joining for huge sums from German clubs, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig respectively.

Unfortunately, injuries kept Nkunku out for most of his debut season with the Londoners, restricting him to just two starts in 14 appearances across all competitions.

In his absence, Nicolas Jackson, who also joined in the same summer but for far less amount was entrusted with the responsibility of getting the goals. It wasn't so pleasing at the start but the Senegalese had all the time to continue to try before getting close to perfection.

Jackson is now Chelsea's number one striker, and with the understanding he has built with his teammates in attack, no one at the club presently can take him out of the team.

Maybe in a future window, the club will make a marquee acquisition in the striking department in a bid to change the prototype of their current options, but Jackson, for now, is inevitable.

Christopher Nkunku, although has been available this season and is currently the club's top scorer across all competitions with ten goals, is only seen as a deputy to Jackson, and has been overlooked repeatedly, for league games in favor of Cup and Conference league games.

Should Christopher Nkunku settle for a Deputy role at Chelsea

While his return to fitness and form have earned him a call-up back to the French national team, it is still unlikely he will be able to keep the slot for long if he continues to miss the major games at club level

Nkunku is a superstar, one who won the Bundesliga Player of the season and followed it with the top scorer award before his move to Chelsea. But with him being only a second choice at the club level, it is only a matter of time before he loses that national team call-up, even at when injured stars return from injuries.

At Chelsea, the initial plan must have been to make him a starter and now there has been a change in management and unforeseen competitors have taken advantage of his fitness issues to cement what should have been his place.

The player has also raised concerns about his lack of involvement in the major games for Chelsea. But to be fair on Enzo Maresca, Jackson is not a player to be dropped at this time, and in a 38-game Premier League season, you do not get too many rooms to try new things.

The PSG Paris Saint-German Academy alumnus, now 27, is not getting any younger. And if the move he hoped would help take his career to that next stage isn't working out as planned, then moving on should not be difficult.

Nkunku has a contract until 2029 at Chelsea but even at that, letting him leave wouldn't hurt. He is on £195,000 a week and only gets to play in games where fringe players in the squad can fit in. It saves the club more money. Lots of money.

Another good thing about letting Nkunku leave is that Chelsea gets to reinvest in another striker of the different prototype. With Jackson thriving and there are lots of options in the market, the departure will help free up space for incoming.

Which Teams Have Shown Interest in Christopher Nkunku

Christopher Nkunku is that player who will attract a lot of suitors if made available for transfer. Not only that teams will see him as a market opportunity, but also for his world-class reputation before his move to Chelsea.

His statistics this season are also quite impressive and can be recommended for the top teams in Europe, including a couple in the English Premier League, with a potential to hit the ground running. The only question is if Chelsea would want to strengthen a direct rival.

Manchester United have been linked with the attacker though things are expected to change in Old Trafford with the new appointment of Ruben Amorim. But with United's current struggles in attack, Nkunku may be an option in January, if Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee fail to turn out well.

There have also been links with former club PSG, while Leipzig may also welcome the idea of a reunion, even so should the high-in-demand Benjamin Sesko depart in the summer.

Several other clubs are bound to show interest if Nkunku is made available in the window, and even if Chelsea wish to retain him for depth and competition, the player now has to want to go.

What Next Christopher Nkunku ?

He stands no chance of getting back a position that is even not secured by the one beating him to it. It would only get worse if the club brings in another striker in the future window.

Enzo Maresca has spoken of his desire to have two players per position but that kind of theory is not for a player like Nkunku, where he has to be the second choice.

However, between now, winter, and the summer, Nkunku will continue to try and remain at the top of his game and think about the future, as well as try as much as he can to attract better offers when the time to leave eventually comes.

Maybe sooner or maybe later, the birthday boy will have to depart Chelsea as there appears no future in the relationship. He has to make the decision sooner rather than later, as not many top teams will want to have a player after their 30s