January 7th 2024.
Christopher Nkunku is expected to be back in action in the coming days after struggling with a hip problem in training. The Chelsea forward was absent from their 4-0 win over Preston in their FA Cup third round clash due to the hip injury.
Mauricio Pochettino discussed the situation post-match, revealing that the France international had suffered a problem in his hip during training. He said, “We don’t want to put pressure on him. We know it is difficult after a long time injured. Six months away [and] now he wasn’t involved because he suffered a problem in his hip in training. We need to see if he can be ready for the next few games.”
Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig last summer, but has endured an injury-hit first season at Stamford Bridge, missing the first four months of the campaign. He had started the Blues’ last four games ahead of the Preston clash and his absence was more of a precautionary measure.
The 26-year-old scored his first goal for the club in the Christmas Eve defeat to Wolves in one of his three appearances off the bench, having also started against Crystal Palace. He felt discomfort in his hip during training this week, but is thought to be nothing serious.
Pochettino has been exercising caution with Nkunku after his long spell out. He said, “The circumstances are really tough. They need to play to get to their best and we cannot provide this game time to players that need to go and feel competition because we need to win. Sometimes it’s really tough to explain to the players who feel the pressure to perform and to play. Sometimes it is difficult to explain but if you understand football you realise how tough it is.”
Nkunku is expected to be available again next week, possibly as early as Tuesday night away to Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash. Should that game come too soon, he is expected to be back for the visit of Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Overall, it looks like Nkunku should be back in action soon. Chelsea fans will be relieved to have him back in the squad as they push forward in the season.
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