Chelsea drop early Christopher Nkunku team news hint for Southampton as two others set to start

If Chelsea's pre-match social media is anything to go by, Christopher Nkunku could be set for his second Premier League start of the season. He is one of a number of players who could find themselves back in the team for Wednesday's visit to Southampton.

Nkunku is actually still Chelsea's top scorer in all competitions but has only started once in the league. That came back in August on the opening day against Manchester City.

Since then, Nkunku has had to accept a backup role to Nicolas Jackson, who has made the striker spot his own. Enzo Maresca has made it clear that he views Nkunku as a No.9 rather than a No.10, hence his lack of minutes. Even playing behind a striker he would be competing with the irreplaceable Cole Palmer.

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However, in recent Conference League outings, where Nkunkuhas scored seven of his 11 goals so far, the Frenchman has been deployed alongside another centre forward, playing a slightly deeper role. With Chelsea strong favourites to beat bottom-of-the-table Southampton, Nkunku may well find himself starting.

Not only as a means of resting and rotating - something Maresca has done regularly in midweek matches - but also with Jackson just one yellow card away from a suspension, there is logic to the call. Chelsea face Tottenham on Sunday and will be keen to have their main focal point available.

Pedro Neto is also a booking away from hitting the threshold for a one-game ban. He could be another who is left as a substitute at St Mary's Stadium on the south coast as Chelsea prepare for a busy month with nine matches in all competitions.

Posting online, Chelsea teased Nkunku starting, though, with an image of the 27-year-old as the face of their pre-match graphic. Some of Nkunku's teammates have done similarly themselves.

It is now a regular feature of modern football, the Instagram story uploaded on game day. Joining the early gang promoting the match, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo both added info-graphics to their social media in the build-up.

Nkunku, at the time of writing, is yet to do this himself but does often keep active online. Chelsea could see themselves end the night clear in second place as Arsenal welcome Manchester United to Old Trafford.