Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has defended Christopher Nkunku's decision to sign for the Blues ahead of a huge switch this summer. The France international is said to have already agreed a move last year, but with the premise that he wouldn't join until the end of the campaign.
Since then, the Blues' decline has been a rapid one, with the side currently in the bottom half of the table and closer to relegation than a place in the top four. It led former Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick to question whether Nkunku has made the right decision.
He told ZDF sportstudio via BILD: "At the moment, no matter who comes as a coach, you can’t really recommend anyone to go there. The very first thing to do is establish some sort of strategy and reduce the squad to a reasonable size that any coach can work with. I’m also thinking of a player whose commitment to RB Leipzig I was at least a little involved in – Christopher Nkunku.
READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino to Chelsea move: No agreement yet as huge Frank Lampard decision made
“For me one of the best attacking midfielders currently available. And who, in my opinion, decided to move to Chelsea far too early. Imagine he comes to a club that is in the state it is at the moment. Such an outstanding player. This hurts my heart personally. If I were his advisor or his father, I would be very worried right now.”
While it remains to be seen whether the move will turn out to be successful or not, former Chelsea defender Johnson has hit back. He told King Casino Bonus: "I don't agree with Ralf Rangnick at all about Christopher Nkunku coming to Chelsea too early. It is not great at the moment but Chelsea are still Chelsea.
"A fantastic football club with fantastic players, there is just a lot of change going on at the moment. There is no dust that needs to settle. Nkunku is certainly not going to an in-form Chelsea at the slightest, but once a manager and the owners settle in at the club, Chelsea will be alright. They are not a million miles away at all. Yes, at the minute they are struggling, but I don't think Nkunku regrets signing early."
READ NEXT:
What Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Noni Madueke did at full-time as Chelsea scramble for answers
Chelsea's major Mauricio Pochettino dilemma evident after more debatable Frank Lampard decisions
Chelsea player ratings vs Brentford as Aubameyang and Mudryk cannot prevent Blues defeat
Every word Frank Lampard said on Chelsea jeopardy, exonerating players, Cucurella and Aubameyang
Chelsea given perfect Mauricio Pochettino verdict as Todd Boehly urged to sell £75m trio
