Enzo Maresca says striker Christopher Nkunku is a big part of his plans at Chelsea and is not going to be sold in January.
Nkunku’s future at Stamford Bridge has come into question of late with a source close to the player telling The Athletic last week that the forward is not too happy with how things are going right now.
The France international has started just one Premier League match this season and that was the club’s first game of the campaign against Manchester City three months ago.
Maresca has confirmed that the player has not expressed any discontent to him but is making it clear that even if he felt that way, the forward is going nowhere.
When asked by The Athletic if can categorically say he is not on the market when the window opens in the new year, Marecsa replied: “Absolutely, yes.
“We have so many games. I completely want Christo to stay with us; I don’t have any idea to let him leave in January.
“I spoke to Christo days ago and he did not say he was unhappy. For sure, he would like to play minutes but (that is) like many players.”
Maresca also revealed that captain Reece James has had a scan on his hamstring injury and is already on the comeback trail.
While Chelsea’s head coach could not give a definitive comeback date, he suggested it will not be for the long-term.
He added: “We cannot say (when he will be back) because we do not know how long the recovery time is. (But) he is getting better and better day by day. We are there waiting for him — no rush.
“We do not know exactly (the diagnosis) and that’s why we do not know how many days he needs. The only thing we can say is he is getting better and better.
“It’s (the concern of it happening again) something he has to fight with. It is normal, if you get injuries always in the same leg or the same muscle, you can be afraid. It is normal but at the same time, this is his profession and you can get injured. Unfortunately it is repeating but hopefully we can find a solution soon.”
Maresca revealed Malo Gusto (illness) and Pedro Neto (knock) should be available to face Aston Villa on Sunday after being left out of the squad for the second game in a row.
Neither travelled to Germany where Chelsea take on FC Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night.
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