Chelsea’s 25-year-old forward Christopher Nkunku is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery to address an injury he sustained during the pre-season.
The player, who featured prominently in the Blues’ summer schedule, was forced off during the first half of their friendly against Borussia Dortmund last Thursday.
Initial reports from Chelsea were optimistic, suggesting that Nkunku’s absence would be a matter of weeks rather than months. However, the club has now confirmed that the talented forward will be out of action for approximately four months, ruling him out of the opening phase of the new campaign.
In an official statement, the club stated, “Nkunku has sustained a knee injury which will rule the forward out for an extended period. The 25-year-old has undergone an operation and will now begin a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical department.”
During Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States, Nkunku showcased his potential by scoring in three out of his first five appearances for the club.
Unfortunately, due to his injury setback, he is unlikely to make a return until December, missing a significant number of Premier League fixtures as well as the early rounds of the EFL Cup.
The injury to Nkunku has fueled speculations about Chelsea’s transfer activities. Recent reports indicated that the club might consider pursuing Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, who is reportedly eager to leave the French club.
However, despite the setback, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has advised against such a move, although he remains interested in bolstering his attacking options ahead of Romelu Lukaku’s anticipated departure.