Enzo Maresca’s impressive start to life as Chelsea manager has been marked by tactical astuteness, but the question of whether to play Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku together in the starting XI remains a dilemma.

Both forwards have been in fantastic form, but several key factors prevent Maresca from pairing them regularly.

Here’s a look at five reasons why the Italian tactician avoids fielding the two forwards in the same lineup.

1) Defensive Structure and Stability

Maresca has emphasized the importance of maintaining defensive stability, which could be compromised by playing two attack-focused forwards.

Both Jackson and Nkunku are primarily offensive players who do not excel in defensive duties, and playing them together would risk leaving the team exposed during transitions.

When asked about the possibility of fielding the two strikers together, Maresca humorously quipped, “Who will defend? Me and you?” This comment reflects his concern that prioritizing attacking options could weaken Chelsea’s defensive framework, particularly in high-intensity matches where defensive transitions are crucial.

In the current tactical setup, Chelsea relies on a solid backline and hardworking midfielders to support transitions. Adding two strikers into the mix without sacrificing defensive duties would mean relying heavily on other players to cover more ground defensively, potentially leading to fatigue or imbalances during matches.

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