Chelsea forward, Christopher Nkunku, has reportedly expressed his desire to leave the club, according to a report by GOAL.
The primary reason behind his decision is said to be dissatisfaction with his playing time.
After arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2023, Nkunku’s progress was hampered by a serious knee injury followed by a hamstring issue, limiting him to just 14 appearances across the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup in his debut campaign.
Though the 2024-25 season has seen a slight improvement, the change has been far from significant.
Nkunku has featured in 27 Premier League games but has only managed 910 minutes on the pitch. His most notable performances came in the UEFA Europa Conference League, where he tallied five goals and three assists in nine matches.
Nkunku’s time at RB Leipzig between 2019 and 2023 highlighted his immense potential, as he amassed an impressive 70 goals and 55 assists across 172 appearances.
However, at Chelsea, competition from rising star Cole Palmer has been a major obstacle in securing consistent minutes for the Frenchman.
GOAL’s report further reveals that Bayern Munich had shown interest in Nkunku during the January transfer window.
With the Bavarians seeking a backup for star striker Harry Kane, Nkunku remains on their radar.
Nonetheless, Bayern’s pursuit hinges on the future of Mathys Tel, currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur.
Bayern would need to sell Tel for around €50 million to Tottenham to facilitate Nkunku’s arrival. If Tel returns to Germany after his loan spell, Bayern’s move for Nkunku would likely be off the table.
Meanwhile, Chelsea remains the only English side still competing for the UEFA Europa Conference League title.
They are set to face Swedish club Djurgarden in the semifinals this May. A victory would see them clash with either Real Betis or Fiorentina in the final.
The Blues have displayed formidable form throughout the tournament, scoring 33 goals in just 10 matches, an average of 3.3 goals per game.
Their attacking prowess is well distributed, with 19 goals scored with the right foot, six with the left, and seven from headers.
Defensively, Chelsea has been solid, conceding only eight goals and securing four clean sheets. Their efforts have been bolstered by 372 ball recoveries and 25 blocks. Remarkably, they have conceded only one penalty and have yet to suffer an own goal.
In possession, Enzo Maresca’s side has impressed, completing 6,281 out of 6,799 attempted passes, which translates to a remarkable 92.3% pass accuracy.
Additionally, their crossing efficiency stands at 33.34%, underscoring the precision and organization that have defined their campaign.
