Blame Cole Palmer - Ex-Chelsea star reveals why Blues striker is struggling

Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips believes that Christopher Nkunku's struggles to establish himself at Chelsea are largely due to the emergence of Cole Palmer.

Wright-Phillips thinks that Nkunku's unlucky timing, signing around the same time as Palmer, has limited his opportunities.

Wright-Phillips believes Nkunku will get more minutes in the second half of the season.

"Cole Palmer has killed Nkunku's chances because now he's the number 10/9 player that plays behind the striker," Wright-Phillips said.

He continued, "Nkunku could have been that player, but Palmer has taken that role."

“He's not really a winger, so he'll get more game time as the backup to Palmer," Wright-Phillips said.

Nkunku had a promising pre-season with Chelsea, but an injury setback in August delayed his start to the campaign. By the time he returned to fitness, Palmer had established himself as the club's key playmaker, leaving Nkunku on the periphery.

Despite being linked with loan moves to Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, Nkunku has remained at the club but is reportedly keen on leaving Chelsea on a permanent deal.