Chelsea: Christopher Nkunku eases Cole Palmer burden as Mauricio Pochettino strengthens hand for crunch talks
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Chelsea’s progress on the pitch has changed the mood in the stands — and potentially the boardroom — just as the season is about to end.
Mauricio Pochettino remains in the dark over his future, but he will argue Chelsea’s recent upturn in form is a result of having most of his squad fit again after an injury crisis.
Chelsea have more players available than at any point this season, and that has coincided with a four-game winning run that leaves them on the brink of European qualification.
The return of Christopher Nkunku is particularly exciting ahead of next season.
Nkunku was meant to be the star of the show at Chelsea after his £52million move from RB Leipzig last summer. But injuries have limited the French forward to just two starts and 13 appearances this season.
At the Amex Stadium on Wednesday night, Nkunku offered another glimpse of the quality he could add to the Chelsea attack.
He linked the play well, looked sharp, was quick and powerful in his running and scored his third goal of the season when he dispatched a cut-back from Malo Gusto.
Cole Palmer, who opened the scoring, has carried Chelsea through difficult moments of the season.
Palmer now has 22 Premier League goals in a brilliant season in which he has filled the void left by Nkunku.
But there is real excitement about what more he could accomplish in a fully-fit squad featuring Nkunku, Reece James and a host of other returning stars.
Palmer was classy, effective and dangerous with his every touch against Brighton.
Like with Nkunku, there has been excitement about the return of captain James. But his red card was a sour note on an otherwise impressive night after VAR caught him kicking out at Joao Pedro off the ball.
The win moves Chelsea up to sixth and they will secure European qualification with a point at home against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Whether a sixth-placed finish means the Europa League or Europa Conference League depends on whether Manchester United win the FA Cup next week.
Momentum is with Chelsea and their finish could influence what happens next season.
The good run strengthens Pochettino’s hand ahead of post-season talks with co-owner Behdad Eghbali and sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
There are now clear signs that this squad will deliver under Pochettino when everyone is fit.
Palmer is excited about what might be possible next season when he links with Nkunku on a more regular basis.
“Everyone knows his quality, even from Leipzig, before he came here,” Palmer said. “He’s been unlucky with injuries, but if he can get firing and get fit, you saw what he can do out there. I think next season everyone will see how good he actually is.”
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