Christopher Nkunku was once thought to be the most self-centered player in Chelsea’s lineup, but Enzo Maresca has put that belief to rest. Instead, the Chelsea manager called out a different player for showing excessive selfishness during their game against FC Astana. Maresca pointed out that the player missed multiple chances to provide key assists and score goals, which negatively impacted the team’s overall performance.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has addressed growing concerns about selfish play within his squad, shifting the focus from Christopher Nkunku to Carney Chukwuemeka following their 3-1 victory over FC Astana in the UEFA Europa League.

Maresca, who has emphasized the importance of team cohesion since taking charge, openly criticized Chukwuemeka’s performance, highlighting a lack of teamwork and poor decision-making during the game.

Before the match, Nkunku had been the subject of speculation, with many fans accusing the French forward of being overly self-centered in his playing style. However, in his post-match comments, Maresca dismissed these claims, stating, “Nkunku works tirelessly for the team, and I have no doubts about his commitment. The real issue tonight lay elsewhere.”

Maresca’s frustration was instead directed at Chukwuemeka, who he said missed crucial opportunities to improve the team’s overall performance. The young midfielder, while actively involved in Chelsea’s attacking plays, repeatedly chose individual efforts over passing to better-positioned teammates.

“He had chances to deliver key assists and even score,” Maresca explained, “but his lack of team focus let us down. Moments like these demand selflessness, and when that doesn’t happen, substitutions are necessary.”

Despite Chelsea securing a spot in the Europa League knockout stages, Maresca stressed that the game could have been won more comfortably if Chukwuemeka had prioritized teamwork.

“Our philosophy is straightforward: the team comes first,” Maresca added. “Individual brilliance is valuable, but only when it serves the collective. If not, adjustments must be made.”

While critical, Maresca also expressed optimism about Chukwuemeka’s future, acknowledging the 20-year-old’s potential but emphasizing the need for growth. “Carney is a talented player,” he said. “Mistakes are part of learning, but he has to understand that selfishness cannot be a part of this team’s ethos.”

The manager’s comments have sparked debate among Chelsea fans, with some supporting his firm approach, while others argue that such matters should be handled privately.

As Chelsea continue their campaign in domestic and European competitions, the pressure is on players like Chukwuemeka to embrace Maresca’s team-first philosophy and prove their readiness to contribute to the club’s success.