Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku will be out of action for four months after undergoing surgery on his injured leg.
The French superstar suffered a knee problem when Chelsea played Borussia Dortmund in the preseason friendly on August 3, 2023, which ended 1-1.
Nkunku left the pitch in the 22nd minute after colliding with Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels. Chelsea manager Pochettino refused to blame the bad pitch at Soldier Field for the injury.
Mauricio Pochettino claimed the Nkunku injury wouldn’t be a big issue. However, Chelsea will host Liverpool in the opener of the 2023–24 Premier League season, and Christopher Nkunku wouldn’t be available for the match.
His unavailability will be a big blow for the Pochettino side, as they are looking forward to improving their poor goal record from last season, when they scored 38 goals in the Premier League and finished in 12th place.
It is not the first time the attacker has been hampered by injury. He missed all of the 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar.
He did not return to action until February 2023, although he finished as the Bundesliga’s top scorer.
Christopher Nkunku had been in impressive form since joining Chelsea. He scored three goals in five appearances on the preseason tour, playing as a striker, winger, and number 10 in the midfield.
He displayed a promising link-up with Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson. Before joining Chelsea, Christopher Nkunku had scored 58 goals in the past two seasons at RB Leipzig.
Pochettino is left with Nicholas Jackson and Armando Broja as the only first-team strikers for the start of the new season.
With the new development, Chelsea will have to spend again in the current transfer window. The London club is looking forward to signing Michael Olise from Crystal Palace.
It was reported that the England star had already agreed personal terms with the club and they are in negotiations with Crystal Palace for the midfielder.
Christopher Nkunku’s Injury History
In the 2020–21 season, he was out for 39 days, missing seven matches for RB Leipzig. In the 2021–2022 season, he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was out for seven days.
In the 2022–23 season, the attacker was out for 135 days, missing 12 matches.
His latest injury happened in the preseason while playing for Chelsea, and he is likely to be out for 90 days and will miss 10 matches in the process.
Who is Christopher Nkunku’s Idol?
The French star seemed to be inspired by Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti. While Nkunku was at Paris Saint-Germain, he watched Verratti dribble and pass a lot of players with his body.
Christopher Nkunku’s Chelsea Number
Chelsea had confirmed a new shirt number for Christopher Nkunku. The French attacker will be wearing number 18, which was previously worn by Broja in the 2022–23 season.
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