VERY SAD Christopher Nkunku News has been announced this morning by Pochettino in a press conference
Christopher Nkunku’s unexpected hip injury may not be as serious as first assumed after Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino left him out of the matchday squad entirely on Saturday night.
After scoring on his debut against Wolves and earning his first start for the club against Crystal Palace after Boxing Day, the Blues star was left out of the 4-0 triumph over Preston North End. Nkunku also played the final 30 minutes of Chelsea’s 3-2 triumph against Luton Town before the new year, but he did not appear in the Blues’ first game of 2024 against the Lilywhites.
Pochettino was questioned after the FA Cup third round tie as to why the French international had been left out of his team, with the Argentine revealing that he had a problem in training. “It’s really difficult [to get him fit], I think you understand,” he remarked. From the start of the season, the circumstances are quite difficult.
“It applies to [Armando] Broja, [Christopher] Nkunku, and [Romeo] Lavia.” It can be tough to explain to you and to translate to our supporters at times. We don’t want to put pressure on Nkunku when we discuss his situation. We understand how difficult it is to be injured for an extended period of time.
“Six months away is usually difficult. He wasn’t involved right now because he had a hip injury after training yesterday and we need to see if he can be ready for the next few games. That is the issue. They need time, but they also need to play to be the best, and we cannot supply this gametime to guys who need to go out and compete because we need to win.
“We’re in Chelsea, and we have to win.” It can be difficult to communicate to players who are under pressure to perform and play. They wish to assist the team. It can be difficult to describe at times, but anyone who understands football understands how difficult it is.”
Blues fans were scared, which was natural considering the club’s track record with injuries this season. Nkunku’s hip trouble brings Chelsea’s total number of difficulties since Pochettino’s arrival to 35, including Nkunku’s own knee injury in pre-season, which kept him out of the first half of the season.
Early reports suggested that the star could be out for up to three weeks, but journalist Fabrice Hawkins claims that dropping Nkunku from the squad was simply a precautionary measure and that he should be fine for the upcoming matches against Middlesbrough and Fulham.
That report was then corroborated by Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, who appeared to confirm that Nkunku will be in the squad for the Blues’ midweek trip to the Riverside Stadium, while claiming that Pochettino’s decision to drop him was a precautionary measure to ensure the star’s hip discomfort did not worsen.
Overall, it appears that the Blues attacker will be healthy and firing when Chelsea travel to face Michael Carrick’s Boro next Tuesday, barring any last-minute complications. The degree of that involvement is unknown, although Pochettino has mentioned drip-feeding Nkunku minutes until he is ready for more regular minutes.
