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Enzo Maresca is being urged to bench Christopher Nkunku ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League showdown with Aston Villa, with former Blues striker Tony Cascarino branding the French forward “non-existent.”

Chelsea invested over £50 million to bring Nkunku from RB Leipzig in 2023, but his time at Stamford Bridge has been marred by injuries and inconsistency.

Last season, fitness issues restricted him to just 11 Premier League appearances, and this campaign, he has largely played second fiddle to Nicolas Jackson. His struggles even sparked speculation of a January departure.

With Jackson sidelined due to injury, Nkunku was handed an opportunity to lead the line, but his performances in Chelsea’s back-to-back defeats against Brighton have come under heavy scrutiny. Despite the ongoing striker crisis, Cascarino insists it would be a mistake to start Nkunku at Villa Park.

“We’ve seen a real drop in Chelsea’s performances,” Cascarino said on talkSPORT. “They have a serious issue at centre-forward.

“Nkunku, I’m sorry, but playing him there is like carrying an extra passenger. I had no idea why Maresca picked him after that cup performance against Brighton.

“He was non-existent. Then in the second game against Brighton, it was the exact same story.

“I’ll give him one benefit of the doubt he’s not a natural centre-forward. His best football has always come when playing off the left.”

While Nkunku’s talent is undeniable, former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes Maresca’s tactics are preventing the Frenchman from playing to his strengths.

“I’ve watched Nkunku a lot in Germany, and I’m a huge fan,” Schwarzer said on The Seaman Says Podcast with Betway.

“He’s a really, really good player, but Chelsea aren’t using him properly. There was one moment against Brighton where they actually played to his strengths a simple ball over the top. But he’s lacking confidence.

“He hesitated, tried to shift it onto his right when he should’ve taken it with his left, then attempted a delicate lob to Cole Palmer that didn’t work out.

“The Christopher Nkunku from two years ago would have smashed that chance into the back of the net. Right now, he’s struggling for confidence, and Chelsea aren’t playing to his strengths at all.”

With Chelsea desperate to bounce back, all eyes will be on Maresca’s team selection as they take on a high-flying Aston Villa side.