Many believed Christopher Nkunku was the most selfish player in Chelsea’s squad, but Enzo Maresca has firmly debunked that notion. Instead, the Chelsea manager criticized another player for displaying extreme selfishness during their match against FC Astana. Maresca explained that the player squandered several opportunities to create crucial assists and score goals, ultimately hindering the team’s performance.

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

Maresca, who has emphasized building a cohesive team since his appointment, criticized Chukwuemeka’s performance for a lack of teamwork and poor decision-making during the game.

Prior to the match, speculation surrounded Nkunku’s playing style, with fans labeling him as one of Chelsea’s most self-centered players. However, in the post-match press conference, Maresca dismissed these claims, stating, “Nkunku works hard for the team, and I’ve never questioned his willingness to contribute. Tonight, the issue was elsewhere.” Instead, he turned his attention to Chukwuemeka, who he felt failed to capitalize on several opportunities to enhance the team’s performance.

The young midfielder played an active role in Chelsea’s attack against Astana but frequently chose individual efforts over passing to better-positioned teammates. Maresca remarked, “He had chances to create assists and score, but his selfishness cost us. These moments demand team-first decisions. Unfortunately, I had to substitute him for someone more effective.”

While Chelsea’s win secured their place in the Europa League knockout stages, Maresca stressed that the match could have been more comfortable if Chukwuemeka had prioritized the team’s needs. He reiterated the importance of collective effort in his philosophy, stating, “Every player must play for the team. Individual brilliance is valuable, but only when it benefits the group. When it doesn’t, changes must be made.”

Despite the criticism, Maresca expressed optimism that Chukwuemeka would grow from the experience. The 20-year-old, regarded as one of Chelsea’s most promising talents, has displayed moments of brilliance this season but struggled with consistency and decision-making. “Carney has great potential,” Maresca said. “He’s young, and mistakes are part of the process. But he must understand that selfishness has no place in this team.”

The incident has sparked debate among Chelsea supporters, with some backing Maresca’s firm approach, while others feel such issues should be addressed privately. As Chelsea continue to compete domestically and in Europe, the pressure is mounting on players like Chukwuemeka to adapt to Maresca’s team-oriented vision.