It is not exactly great for a football player whose own supporters cheer when he is taken off in a match. That, however, was the sad reality for Christopher Nkunku on Sunday afternoon.
The France international, who has been at Chelsea for almost two years after signing for £52million in the summer of 2023, was hooked at half-time by Enzo Maresca, with the visitors looking for the breakthrough at the Gtech Community Stadium. Maresca made five changes for the visit across west London to Brentford with less than 72 hours between this game and the win against Tottenham on Thursday evening.
The gamble, though, with a crucial Conference League quarter-final first-leg trip to Legia Warsaw on the horizon, did not pay off. Chelsea were flat, and that was typified by Nkunku's performance in the first-half. Being used as a No.9, the 27-year-old failed to retain possession on numerous occasions; whether that be from a misplaced pass or a sloppy touch. Nothing was sticking and it was not even close to being a surprise when he was brought off during the break.
Off the ball, Nkunku was not pressing. He has often been accused of being lazy out of possession and the fact he was not in the opposition's face when they had the ball was hurting Chelsea. And it has caused the fans to turn on him. There is one thing not performing, but failing to do so while also not running tirelessly to help the team is another - and that is what the supporters do not appreciate.
"No, I think it's just a game," Maresca replied when asked if Nkunku's display was down to a lack of effort. "I don't think it's a lack of effort because at the end I can see Christo every day and he's working well. Sometimes probably he wants to give more during a game and he struggles a little bit, but for sure I don't think it's a lack of effort."
On came Nicolas Jackson, with plenty of fans in the away section cheering him when he entered the pitch, but also the fact that it was for Nkunku. And Chelsea improved. There's no doubt about that. The Blues managed just four shots in the first-half and only one of them hit the target, but in the second period the visitors created much more - with 17 shots and four of them testing the goalkeeper.
Jackson played a significant part in that. With the Senegalese striker on the pitch, Chelsea looked much more of a threat and that was evident immediately. Jackson does suit what Chelsea are trying to do under Maresca, but the sudden change reflected just as badly on Nkunku than it did positively on his teammate who replaced him.
Staggeringly, almost two years after bringing Nkunku to Stamford Bridge, we are no closer really to seeing what the Frenchman's role is at the club. He was on fire against some very weak teams in the Conference League league phase but has struggled in the Premier League, particularly in 2025. It begs a big question going into the summer with Chelsea facing a big decision on Nkunku and his future.
With the club looking to strengthen in attack this summer, it leaves you wondering where Nkunku fits into all of this. Perhaps he doesn't. Chelsea were reluctant to let him leave over the January transfer window, with lots of interest in his signature, but the club could take a different approach when the summer comes around.
It would not surprise you if that was Nkunku's last Premier League start this season. The return of Jackson is a welcome boost, and Chelsea will be desperate for him to start scoring again. Next up in the Premier League is Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues thankful they are returning to their own stadium given their torrid run of form away from home in 2025.
Chelsea are winless in their last eight matches away from SW6 in the top-flight. Such form leaves many questioning whether they have what it takes to finish in the top five this season and qualify for the Champions League for the 2025/26 campaign. "I think we start the season winning away many games," Maresca said on Chelsea's away form.
"We won away games and we struggled a little bit at home. Now it's the other way. I think to get top four, top five or fight for the title you need the right balance. Probably, as you said, in this moment we struggle a little bit more to win games away.
"But overall in terms of numbers I think we are there since we start. And hopefully we can, from now on, we can win some games away. But also it's important I think to continue to win the games at home."
A disappointing performance and result, all in all. Granted, it does not feel like the end of the world given the circumstances of the 72-hour turnaround, but it is certainly a good chance wasted for the Blues to really lay down a marker in this race for Champions League football.
