Nkunku suffers fresh injury blow ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup clash

Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku is set for another spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury, as confirmed Mauricio Pochettino.

Nkunku, who joined Chelsea in the summer, has struggled with injuries since arriving at the club.

He suffered a knee injury in pre-season and later endured a hip injury, limiting him to just ten appearances in all competitions this season.

Despite making his competitive debut in December and featuring in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, Nkunku’s fitness concerns continue to be a worry for Chelsea.

Pochettino confirmed that the Frenchman who is undergoing medical assessment for an undisclosed problem, could be out for up to a month.

The Chelsea manager expressed sympathy for Nkunku, noting that injuries have hindered his progress since his impressive pre-season performances.

“It’s difficult for him. We watched him when he arrived in pre-season. He was flying on the training pitch until he got injured.

“Now it is nearly eight months and he has been involved again but it is not the same player as before,”
Pochettino added.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s injury list also includes Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella, who are in partial team training for reconditioning.

Reece James, Romeo Lavia, and Benoit Badiashile continue their rehabilitation programmes, and could stay a longer time on the sidelines.

Chelsea will face Leeds United in the FA Cup on Wednesday, hoping to pick up themselves from the Carabao Cup defeat against Liverpool.