Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has explained why Nicolas Jackson and Christopher are not playing together, Afrosport reports.
Since the Blues 2-0 Premier League opening day defeat to Manchester City, the Senegalese and French forward of Congolese heritage have not featured in the same XI.
Nicolas Jackson has been the favoured choice in the English top flight and has scored four goals and provided two assists in five games.
Nkunku, on the other hand, has been the favoured starter in cup competitions and has scored five goals in just three games, including a hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Barrow FC in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday night.
“Be honest with him and all of them [on when they are selected to play]. Probably I’ve told them since day one we can’t play with seven attacking players,” Maresca said ahead of Chelsea’s Saturday league clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.
“Jackson played in the Premier League, scored two goals. Nkunku played the other day and scored three.
“This is good because not one of them can drop which means that the other one, he can have more chances, thinking and knowing that it’s impossible for them to be at the same level for all season because it’s not possible.
“But it’s important that they compete with each other and they are ready when we give them minutes.”
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Since their season-opening loss to Man City, Chelsea have only dropped points once in a 1-1 draw with London rivals Crystal Palace and occupy fifth spot on the table with 10 points, three points shy of the Citizens who occupy top spot.
