Chelsea handed Christopher Nkunku injury update ahead

Chelsea news as the severity of Christopher Nkunku’s knee injury suffered against Borussia Dortmund looks to be better than first expected

Chelsea have been handed a boost in Christopher Nkunku’s fitness (Image: Matthew Ashton)×

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Chelsea have been handed a huge boost in their injury concerns over summer signing Christopher Nkunku ahead of the start of the 2023/24 season.

The France international arrived at Stamford Bridge from RB Leipzig on the back of an injury-hit season. However, despite missing a large portion of games, Nkunku set the Bundesliga alight and finished joint top-scorer in Germany.

After initially impressing in his opening pre-season games under his new club, Nkunku’s fitness became an injury concern for Mauricio Pochettino in the 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund. The striker was forced off after 22 minutes following a knock to the knee.

There has been no indication over the severity of the injury, with many worried that the 25-year-old would miss next week’s Premier League season opener against Liverpool.

However, there is fresh hope that Nkunku’s injury won’t keep him out for too long. According to the Evening Standard, the club are hopeful that he will miss only weeks rather than months.

Nkunku and the rest of the Chelsea squad returned to Cobham on Thursday after spending over two weeks in the United States. It’s suggested that early medical assessments are positive, though there has been no confirmation from the club.

Speaking after the draw with Dortmund, Pochettino provided a brief update on the striker’s injury. He said: “The doctors are checking him hopefully it is not a big issue but when he fell in the action maybe it was a penalty.

“Had the chance to score. But he feels something in his knee but hopefully it is not a big issue and that he can be quick with the team. Now we need a few days to assess him and until we get back to London it is difficult to know.”

Despite the positive news, the report does claim he is likely to miss the visit of Liverpool on August 13. After becoming a regular under Pochettino in their Premier League Summer Series participation, Nkunku was likely to start in attack at Stamford Bridge.

Fellow summer signing Nicolas Jackson is now on course to make his Premier League debut. The former Villarreal man, like Nkunku, has impressed in his new colours with goals against Brighton and Newcastle.