Fresh concerns arise for Chelsea as their newly acquired forward, Christopher Nkunku, suffers a knee injury during a friendly match against Borussia Dortmund with his latest update out
The 25-year-old French international, who joined Chelsea in a hefty £53 million ($67m) deal from RB Leipzig this summer, was forced to exit the field just 22 minutes into the game at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Christopher Nkunku latest injury update today, report and return date news
Nkunku’s unfortunate injury came following a challenge from Dortmund’s Mats Hummels. Although the young star managed to play for an additional 10 minutes post-incident, he was ultimately substituted for Mykhailo Mudryk.
Something to keep an eye on for Christopher Nkunku owners 👀#FPL pic.twitter.com/bN16oa8SJO
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 3, 2023
Pochettino’s take on Christopher Nkunku’s condition
When approached for an update on the player, Chelsea’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino told the club’s official website, “The doctors are checking him, and I hope it is not a big issue. He fell in what could’ve been a penalty situation and feels something in his knee. We remain optimistic and hope he can join the team soon. It’ll take a few days to assess the extent of his injury.”
Pitch quality not to blame
Despite murmurs regarding the quality of the Soldier Field pitch – typically used for different sports – Pochettino refrained from attributing Nkunku’s injury to the ground’s condition. The Argentine commented, “While the pitch isn’t perfect, we can’t blame it for the injury. To me, it’s just unfortunate timing.”
The path ahead for Christopher Nkunku
Before this setback, Nkunku had been turning heads with his performances for Chelsea. He made his mark in pre-season matches, scoring against teams like Wrexham, Brighton, and Fulham. However, given the current situation, it remains uncertain if he will be fit in time to make his official Chelsea debut in the Premier League 2023-24 opener against Liverpool on August 13.
All eyes will be on Chelsea’s medical team and Nkunku’s recovery process, with fans ardently hoping to see their new star shine in the opening matches of the season.
Who is Christopher Nkunku?
Christopher Alan Nkunku is a French professional footballer born on 14 November 1997. He currently plays for the Premier League club Chelsea and represents the France national team. He operates in various positions such as an attacking midfielder, second striker, or forward. Christopher Nkunku is an alumnus of the Paris Saint-Germain Academy, where he debuted professionally in December 2015.
While at PSG, Christopher Nkunku made 78 appearances, clinching three Ligue 1 titles, two Coupe de France titles, and two Coupe de la Ligue titles. In July 2019, he transferred to the German side RB Leipzig. During his time there, he netted 70 goals in 172 appearances across four seasons and bagged the DFB-Pokal twice. His prowess was acknowledged when he was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season in the 2021–22 campaign and emerged as the top scorer the subsequent season.
Chelsea acquired Christopher Nkunku’s services in 2023 for £52 million. Apart from his club career, he has represented France at various youth levels and made his debut for the senior national team in March 2022.
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