![\"Fulham](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2211114302.jpg\")
\n\t\tEnzo Maresca during Chelsea\u2019s Premier League clash with Fulham (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tEnzo Maresca during Chelsea\u2019s Premier League clash with Fulham (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
Chelsea<\/a> supporters are convinced \u00a352m signing Christopher Nkunku<\/a> is coming to the end of his disappointing spell at Stamford Bridge after he was left out of Enzo Maresca<\/a>\u2019s matchday squad to face Fulham<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nkunku was a notable absence when Chelsea named their team for Sunday\u2019s Premier League clash at Craven Cottage<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Frenchman has endured a difficult stint in west London following his \u00a352m move from RB Leipzig in 2023<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fans wondered whether Nkunku had picked up an injury after he was omitted from Chelsea\u2019s squad for the west London derby against Fulham.<\/p>\n But Maresca, speaking after a dramatic and crucial 2-1 victory<\/a>, confirmed Nkunku\u2019s absence was a \u2018technical decision\u2019.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tGet personalised updates on Chelsea every day\t\t\t<\/p>\n Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro\u2019s Football Newsletter. <\/p>\n Sign up to our newsletter<\/a> and then select your team in the link we\u2019ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.<\/p>\n Maresca has been supportive of Nkunku during his struggles but fans are convinced a summer move is inevitable following the brutal Fulham snub.<\/p>\n \u2018He has to leave for his own sake,\u2019 one supporter wrote on X, while another said: \u2018This is the end of the road for Nkunku at Chelsea.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018Time to go\u2019 was a sentiment echoed by many Chelsea fans after they watched the Blues mount a late fightback to down Fulham.<\/p>\n Chelsea looked set to go down to a deflating defeat following Alex Iwobi\u2019s first-half opener but the visitors scored twice in the final ten minutes to turn the game around.<\/p>\n Teenager Tyrique George brought Chelsea level with his first Premier League goal before Pedro Neto snatched a winner in injury-time.<\/p>\n The victory means Chelsea climb above top-five rival Nottingham Forest ahead of their game in hand against Tottenham on Monday night.<\/p>\n \t\t Speaking after Chelsea\u2019s much-needed victory, Maresca said: \u2018From the outside it looks easier but when it is a must-win game, it\u2019s not easy for the players when you are 1-0 down.<\/p>\n \u2018Second half we continued the way we have been since day one. We have five Premier League games and two in the Conference League \u2013 so seven games and they are all games we need to win.<\/p>\n \u2018I think we deserved to win the game. We started well in the first 20 minutes then we conceded a goal unfortunately and in a match that is must win, it\u2019s not easy for the players.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018It becomes more difficult but second half, we also changed something tactically and it was much better.\u2019<\/p>\n On George\u2019s performance, Maresca said: \u2018He is a talent, he has to work hard.<\/p>\n \u2018He\u2019s doing well with us, deserved a chance and the goal was fantastic. It was all very important because it gave us an energy boost for the last push.\u2019<\/p>\n Maresca also alluded to Nkunku\u2019s absence by explaining why Jadon Sancho was only named on the Chelsea bench.<\/p>\n He added: \u2018Jadon is doing well but at this moment we have him, Madueke and Pedro Neto, and also Tyrique who can play wide.<\/p>\n \u2018In this moment they are all good so it is easy for me to decide but also easy to change because the ones who are out are doing well.\u2019<\/p>\n Chelsea continue their Premier League campaign next weekend against Everton.<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Arrow Arrow Arrow \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Chelsea](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2210111563.jpg\")
\n\t\tChristopher Nkunku was left out of Chelsea\u2019s squad to face Fulham (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Fulham](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2210521339.jpg\")
\n\t\tChelsea scored two late goals to beat Fulham (Picture: Getty)
\nMaresca reacts to Fulham win<\/p>\n![\"Fulham](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2211131116.jpg\")
\n\t\tChelsea boosted their Champions League hopes (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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