0
0
Christopher Nkunku is expected to rejoin Chelsea training this week.
The summer signing has had a frustrating first season at Stamford Bridge, missing over four months due to a knee injury suffered in pre-season.
Nkunku was able to return to action over the Christmas and New Year period, providing Mauricio Pochettino with a much-needed boost given Chelsea’s inconsistency in front of goal.
From December 19 to December 30, the France international played 182 minutes of football across four appearances in all competitions.
However, the versatile attacker has yet to play in 2024 due to a hip injury that was initially expected to keep him out in the short term.
When Nkunku sustained the injury in training, Pochettino said he would be on the substitutes’ bench against Preston North End in the FA Cup on January 6, but he was not present.
Pochettino has since admitted that he is concerned about Nkunku’s recovery, as he was unable to return to training at the end of last week.
Christopher Nkunku ‘hopes’ to rejoin Chelsea’s training squad this week.
According to the Daily Mail, that could change this week, as Nkunku has shown some improvement in recent days.
Chelsea are currently on a brief break following their recent hectic schedule, with the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough scheduled for January 23.
Nonetheless, there are signs that Nkunku may be able to join the rest of the squad before the end of the week, potentially putting him back in contention for the Boro tie.
However, an FA Cup fourth-round match against Aston Villa and a Premier League trip to Liverpool follow in the next eight days, and it is possible that no risks will be taken in light of those two games.
With Nicolas Jackson away with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, Armando Broja is the only available forward in the squad, with Cole Palmer filling in as a false nine on occasion.
Pochettino and the club’s recruitment team are thought to be weighing whether they should try to sign a new forward before the end of the January transfer window, though Nkunku’s imminent return may alleviate any concerns for the time being.
