boss has played down suggestions will predominantly be used as a striker while he is keen to utilise the Frenchman in tandem with .
The west Londoners secured a 4-3 victory over Brighton on Saturday night despite conceding the first goal in Philadelphia, with Nkunku reacting quickly to prod a smart finish into the back of the net to level the scores early in the first half.
Jan Paul van Hecke’s dismissal on the hour mark prompted a flurry of goals, with Mykhailo Mudryk, Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson netting in the space of 11 minutes to before Joao Pedro and Deniz Undav netted two late consolation strikes.
Nkunku started up top for Chelsea, with Carney Chukwuemeka just behind him and Raheem Sterling and Ian Maatsen on the flanks, with that attacking quartet replaced in the second half.
Pochettino has stuck with his 4-2-3-1 formation in pre-season so far, with Jackson and Nkunku yet to play together, but the Argentine coach says that is simply due to fitness levels and availability and the Frenchman will be used in other positions.
Asked if he sees Nkunku as a striker going forward, Pochettino told Chelsea TV: ‘Well I think Nkunku can play in different positions.
‘For the circumstances in these two games we use him as a striker, but he can play like an offensive midfielder, like a No.10, like a No.8 or on the side also.
‘It’s about the dynamic and the animation of the team and of course the relationship between the team-mates.
‘But he’s a fantastic player and he’s improving every day.’
On whether he could use Nkunku in more of a No.10 role playing off Jackson, Pochettino replied: ‘Yeah for sure we arrive now in the next few games the possibility to play together also.
‘But the circumstances make that [hard] in the first few games, we need to use them both for the different physical condition, to change and to share minutes.
‘But of course it’s one of the possibilities to play both in attack.’
Speaking about his role leading the line against Wrexham last time out, Nkunku himself said: ‘Yeah this is my position, I like to play this position, to be free to move and fit into space also. So yeah, this is my position and I’m very happy.’
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