Report: Chelsea believe their £52m player can be like Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus next season

The new Chelsea manager is no doubt keen to look at all of his squad ahead of the upcoming pre-season and subsequent Premier League campaign.

Enzo Maresca has reportedly spent some of his holiday watching footage from last season, where he will have become accustomed with a number of the first team players.

What he will have noticed though is a number of key players who were unable to string any gametime together as a result of an injury-hit season.

Club captain Reece James and his deputy Ben Chilwell were hardly fit to feature, and the former will also be missing the first few games of next season as a result of his red card against Brighton.

Another player who hardly featured was Christopher Nkunku, who was brought in ahead of last season in an attempt to revitalise their attack.

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Despite the £52m fee paid, he is yet to make his mark properly at Stamford Bridge.

The Frenchman is one player who many are wondering where he is going to line up in Maresca’s system, with him able to play in a number of positions.

Chelsea think Christopher Nkunku can replicate Gabriel Jesus

Now, according to The Telegraph, the Blues believe he can carry out a role similar to that of Gabriel Jesus at Manchester City, featuring in the false nine position.

Nicolas Jackson is currently the only senior striking option expected to be at the club next season, with it being reported that Maresca does not want it to be left at that by the time the campaign gets underway.

They have added youngster Marc Guiu to their ranks, with the former Barcelona man expected to be kept around the first team setup ahead of next season.

Nkunku meanwhile will be hoping for an injury-free campaign that allows him to show his true talents in attack, supporting Cole Palmer in the goals and assists category.