Chelsea face Liverpool after the international break and Mikel Obi has urged Maresca to start one Chelsea star who would be a threat to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
Mikel Obi in his Obionepodcast stated that Christopher Nkunku should start against Liverpool as he would be a menace to Van Dijk.
“I think so,” he said on the Obi One Podcast when asked if Christopher Nkunku is a number nine and could push Nicolas Jackson in that role.
“I know Jackson plays every game, starts every game. He scored back-to-back against Wolves and Crystal Palace, but I think we have these players as well who can play the false nine role.” He added as quoted by Chelsea247
“Nkunku frustrates defenders and Van Dijk will suffer from his hands…we need a player like Nkunku to start such game.” He said.
Obi also gave an insight on how the Blues could utilize their attacking options:
“Create the freedom for these players, Jadon, Cole Palmer, Madueke on the right, Nkunku or João Felix on the left, you know, the freedom of these players interchanging there, I think that’s something we might try and see how that works.
“For me, I think with Nkunku’s performances coming off the bench sometimes, he deserves to get a start, maybe pushing Nicolas Jackson.” He added.
Meanwhile per early team news, Liverpool will be without Mac Allister who was taken off against Palace due to a groin injury and Slot admitted it was ‘difficult to judge’ the severity of the problem.
The midfielder has linked up with Argentina but Lionel Scaloni has issued the update that Mac Allister ‘not not been able to train’ and he is doubtful for the national team’s fixtures.
Harvey Elliott remains out of contention after fracturing his foot and while there is no specified return date yet, he could be available later this month.
Federico Chiesa is another doubt after missing the Palace game but Slot does not expect him to be out for a long period of time.
Meanwhile, Caoimhin Kelleher missed the most recent clash due to illness but has been called up to the Republic of Ireland squad and is expected to start against Finland, so he should be fine to fill in for Alisson upon return.
Reece James remains Chelsea’s frustrating long-term absentee as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem.
The last update from the Blues camp was that there is ‘no real update’ on the defender at the moment. Summer signing Omari Kellyman is also out and looking at a potential return around November or December time, according to GiveMeSport.
Chelsea will also be without Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana, who both picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season against Nottingham Forest.
Carney Chukwuemeka was ruled out of the clash with Gent due to illness but was also absent from the Nottingham Forest game but he is expected to return in time for Liverpool.
Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke were both brought off against Forest but the duo have been named in the England national squad so there doesn’t seem to be any major concerns there.