Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca hinted in his latest press conference that Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku could become regular starters at Stamford Bridge thanks to their performances in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The west London club open their Conference Europa League campaign against Belgian side Gent on Thursday at Stamford Bridge and it’s a game Maresca will make multiple changes to following the Blues’ win over Brighton on Saturday.
Chelsea fans may not like their club being part of Europe’s weakest competition, but the early rounds are a boon for the Premier League club as it gives several of their fringe players the chance to play
Although the price tags of Mudryk and Nkunku suggest they are not fringe players, the duo have not been regular starters for Chelsea this season.
Many expect the France star to break into the Blues’ best XI at some point in the current campaign and their manager has suggested the Europa League will give the striker and Mudryk the chance to do just that.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday before the Gent clash, Maresca said about the duo through the standard: “I think Misha (Mudryk) played from the start against Wolves in the Premier League. We gave him some games.
“Everyone wants to play from the beginning, but sometimes it’s not possible. Against Barrow, Misha did very well. I think when I was inside, I was fine.
“I hope he can have a good game tomorrow. We can say exactly the same about Nkunku. The club signed him (and Mudryk) as great players and at the moment they are not playing in the Premier League.
“But things change quickly in football. Right now, the situation is this, but it does not mean that it will be the same throughout the season”.
Can Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku become starters for Chelsea?
In the long term, everyone at Chelsea will want Mudryk and Nkunku to become regular starters given the money invested in the duo.
The star of Ukraine was acquired by 88.5 million euros as part of a deal with Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 and the 23-year-old has delivered very little so far during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Nkunku was signed by RB Leipzig last summer after his Exemption clause of 52 million euros he was activated, but the French star experienced an injury-plagued first season in the Premier League. The forward is more likely to break out of the pair to cement a regular starting spot in Chelsea’s current squad, as the 26-year-old is simply too good to be sitting on the bench.
Nkunku will shine in the Europa Conference League and other cup competitions throughout the season and if Maresca lives up to his word, this should see the French star earn a starting spot.
