Cole Palmer causes Enzo Maresca £52m transfer problem but Chelsea cannot afford January mistake

Enzo Maresca is blessed with attacking options at Chelsea and while that has its clear advantages, there are definitely some negatives that come along with it as well.

The Blues have the likes of Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Joao Felix and Nicolas Jackson to choose from in those four attacking positions - the two wingers, a No.10 and a central striker. Not to mention Marc Guiu, who has made a positive impression in virtually every game he has played for the club.

Unfortunately, not all of those players can play. And while Chelsea are in for an extremely busy season, culminating with the FIFA Club World Cup in June of next year, players will continue to become frustrated should they not be featuring in the most important matches.

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That is reportedly the case with Nkunku. While he has featured 10 times in the Premier League this season, the France international has only started once in the top-flight - and that came on August 18, the opening weekend of the campaign, in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

On that day, he was used on the left wing but struggled to get involved in the Blues' defeat to the champions. However, for the majority of the season, Nkunku has been used as the No.9, usually replacing Nicolas Jackson for the cup matches.

In that time, Nkunku, who was signed for £52million in 2023, has scored an impressive 10 goals. While only playing 688 minutes in the 17 appearances he has made in all competitions, Nkunku averages a goal every 68.8 minutes this term for the Blues - an incredibly impressive record.

The 26-year-old has been used virtually everywhere across the front line for Chelsea but Maresca sees him as a natural No.10; a position he was used in during the club's pre-season tour of the United States. Due to the balance of the side, however, we have barely seen Nkunku in that 'second striker' role since the start of the campaign.

Maresca explained earlier this month: "I feel shame for Christo because I said before, in pre-season, he was probably our best player, playing I think in his position but because we need also to adapt players, we start to move him as a striker; knowing he is not a No.9, knowing that. But to find balance, sometimes we try that.

"Christo is similar to Joao [Felix]. If they continue to work in the same way then for sure they are going to get minutes in the Premier League or in different competitions."

However, according to numerous reports, Nkunku is unhappy with his current situation at the club and will consider his future ahead of the January transfer window. Chelsea cannot afford to let a man of his goal-scoring ability leave the club, though, especially so soon after signing him.

Last season was essentially a write-off for Nkunku, who had a torrid time with injuries during his maiden campaign with the club. He has started this campaign really well, though, and is unfortunate not to be starting more Premier League matches; but Jackson has also impressed.

And while Maresca wants to use Nkunku in the No.10 role, that would mean sacrificing Palmer, who is Chelsea's most significant player. The only way to have Nkunku in his favoured position alongside Palmer, in this current set-up, would be to move the latter out to the right wing - a position he enjoyed much success in last season.

Maresca, though, did try Palmer there during the opening day loss to Man City but the England international was too far away from the play and was way less influential on the wing. Either way, to consider selling Nkunku at this stage would be madness from a Chelsea perspective, unless they were to get an offer they simply could not refuse.

We have seen plenty of Nkunku at this point - and for the most part, it has been really impressive. But you still feel like there is plenty more to come from the Frenchman at Stamford Bridge.