Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has delivered a brutally honest assessment of Christopher Nkunku’s Chelsea career, urging the club to part ways with the French forward this summer.

Nkunku arrived at Stamford Bridge amid much excitement in the summer of 2023, completing a £52 million switch from RB Leipzig. His signing was heralded as a major coup for the Blues, with fans and pundits alike expecting the 27-year-old to light up the Premier League.

However, that promise has yet to materialise. A string of injury setbacks have severely disrupted Nkunku’s time at the club, and when he has featured, the former Bundesliga star has failed to consistently impress.

John Obi Mikel, speaking to GiveMeSport, reflected on his own initial excitement over Nkunku’s arrival — but admitted it’s now time for Chelsea to move on.

“Christopher Nkunku should also be a source of goals, but to be honest I think his time at the club is now done. I genuinely think he needs to move on,” Mikel stated.

“There was a lot of hype about him when he joined from Leipzig. I was so excited when he arrived, but his time at Chelsea hasn’t panned out well.”

Under new head coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea are expected to undergo another squad revamp this summer. The club has already secured the signing of striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, with plans to bring in a centre-back and a right-footed attacker. But equally important will be player exits — and Nkunku could be one of the notable names on the chopping block.

Despite flashes of quality, Nkunku has not looked like a natural fit for Maresca’s tactical system, and his lack of consistent availability has made it difficult for him to establish any real momentum.

With the Club World Cup on the horizon and Chelsea aiming to compete at the top level once again, Mikel’s comments reflect what many fans are starting to feel — the Nkunku project may be one the club needs to cut short.

Do you agree with Mikel? Is it time for Chelsea to cash in on Nkunku, or should he be given one more chance under Maresca? Let us know in the comments below.