Maresca: Nkunku Is Not Leaving

Chelsea to Face Heidenheim in UEFA Conference League Matchday 4: Marek's Press Conference Highlights



Any updates on Josh Acheampong's situation?

“There’s no update on his contract or anything like that. Over the past two days, he’s been training with some of the younger players. He’s not in the squad for tomorrow. We’ll have four or five players from the reserve team with us.”
Has there been any change with him?

“No, nothing at all. He’s just trained with us over the last couple of days. No progress regarding his contract or related matters.”

Did Reece James undergo a scan?

“Yes, he did. We can’t provide a timeline yet because we don’t know how long it will take. He’s improving day by day, and we’re waiting for him—there’s no rush.”

Are you uncertain about his diagnosis?

“Exactly, we’re not entirely sure, so we don’t know how many days it will take. The only thing we can say is that he’s steadily getting better.”

How important is this competition to you in maintaining team morale?

“It’s a significant competition. Firstly, it’s a European tournament, and that alone makes it important. From the start, we’ve aimed to give everyone in the squad playing time. In certain games, we try to use younger players. That’s the approach, and we’ll continue with it.”

How do you plan to keep players like João Félix and Christopher Nkunku happy? Will January be stressful?

“The situation is as it is. João played in the Premier League against Leicester a few days ago, and Christopher will definitely play in the Premier League as well. We have many players, and we try to give them playing time and keep them happy, though we know it’s not always possible. Now is not the time to think about January. We have many matches to focus on, especially in December.”

Reports suggest Nkunku is unhappy—has he expressed this to you?

“Not at all, absolutely not. I spoke to Christopher a few days ago, and he didn’t say he was unhappy. Of course, he wants playing time, but many players feel the same way. We have lots of matches coming up, especially in December. Against Leicester, João played, Enzo played, and Benoît (Badiashile) played. For me, there’s no ‘first team’ or ‘second team’—just one squad. They can play in the Premier League or the Conference League, as seen in the Leicester match.”

Would you say Nkunku is non-transferable in January?

“Absolutely, yes.”

What qualities of Nkunku do you value most?

“Christopher was at his best during preseason, playing in his natural position—a No. 10, between the striker and the opposition's defensive line. Since the season started, he’s been playing as a No. 9. In the Premier League opener against Manchester City, he played as a winger, which isn’t his strongest position. His best role is as a No. 10, but Cole (Palmer) also plays there. We can’t regularly field Cole and Christopher, or Cole and João, together. Recently, we tried it, but we need balance. Against Leicester, the plan was different from the plan against Aston Villa. They’re all exceptional players who will play plenty of matches, just not every single one.”

How do you ensure Reece James’ injuries don’t affect his mindset?

“He has to overcome it—it’s normal. If you repeatedly injure the same leg or muscle, you might feel some fear, which is natural. But it’s part of his profession. Injuries are inevitable. Unfortunately, his situation keeps recurring, but we hope to find a solution soon.”

What’s the status of Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto?

“They’ve been training with us. We don’t want to risk them tomorrow, but they should be available for the weekend.”

With Reece James frequently injured, do you need to adapt your tactics?

“Of course, we’re happier when he’s available because he offers different qualities. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he can help us, as he did against Newcastle at home. The best thing we can do, as a coaching staff and even you (the media), is to stop talking about him. The more we talk, the more pressure he feels. He’s a footballer who happens to be injured frequently, but many players face this too. The fewer questions there are, the less pressure he’ll feel.”

Do you enjoy the challenges this competition brings?

“I enjoy every match. In this competition, every club and team treats it as important, which it is. For us, the key is to be mentally prepared. Underestimating anything could harm us, so we need to stay focused.”