Chelsea news: Christopher Nkunku v Nicolas Jackson

Responses to our 'What is one thing nobody is talking about at Chelsea?' posts in the early weeks of the season have largely centred on two topics.

Firstly, the degree to which Nicolas Jackson is underappreciated, and secondly - ignited in part by his late winner at Bournemouth - how Enzo Maresca can find a place for Christopher Nkunku in his line-up.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's London derby with West Ham , Maresca said: "He [Nkunku] is completely different to Nicolas. Nico is a number nine and Christo isn't a real number nine."

However, he added: "That doesn't mean we are not going to use Marc [Guiu] or Christo as a nine in games. Christo doesn't like to play wide, he likes to be in the centre of the pitch - we know that. But sometimes to find the balance, he plays in a position that isn't the best for him."

Since starting together in the opening day defeat to Manchester City , Nkunku has been a substitute in the Premier League while Jackson has been in the first XI for every game.

However, Nkunku started both legs of the Europa Conference League qualifier against Servette, finding the net both home and away.

Against City, the France forward began off the left and struggled to make an impact but against Servette he played centrally and looked more threatening. The issue, however, is that the central role behind the striker in Maresca's 4-2-3-1 is Cole Palmer's position.

And Cole Palmer is Cole Palmer.

So in Chelsea's current first choice side - before heavy rotation begins with the start of the Europa Conference League - it appears the striking position is a straight choice between Nkunku and Jackson.

The above graphic suggests Nkunku is more effective. However, his numbers are aided by his late goal as a substitute at the Vitality Stadium and there are mitigating factors of coming up against tiring defenders when being used from the bench.

Jackson's willingness to run in behind, his high quality link-up play, and ability to sniff out chances are all undeniable, but Nkunku has a proven track record of being a ruthless penalty box finisher.

He is a more polished footballer, if not as adjusted to Chelsea as the Senegal forward is.

The expectation is that Nkunku will become a key figure at Stamford Bridge after an injury-ravaged first campaign in England - after all, he cost in excess of £50m - but the question is when Maresca feels is the right time to give him an extended run.

Then, will that run be at striker and, if so, what does that mean for Jackson?