EPL: Nkunku ruled out for months after knee surgery

Chelsea have announced that their new signing Christopher Nkunku has undergone knee surgery and will be sidelined for “an extended period”.

The French forward who joined the English club on a £52m deal from RB Leipzig, suffered the injury in Chelsea’s final pre-season game against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago, and the club have confirmed he will be missing for a significant spell of the new season.

The initial hope was that the French footballer will be out for weeks rather than months, but it’s now been disclosed that he sustained meniscus damage in his left knee, necessitating an operation.

Confirming the development, Chelsea said in a statement;

“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.”

Nkunku who has now been ruled out for months following the surgery he underwent,  impressed during pre-season and he will now be joining defender Wesley Fofana as a long‑term absentee. Fofana is expected to miss much of the season after surgery on a knee injury.

The injury deals a setback to Chelsea’s ambitions of reclaiming a spot in the top four this season with newly appointed coach Mauricio Pochettino. This comes as Chelsea, having secured a 12th place finish in the 2022-23 season, aimed for an improved performance.

Chelsea could be forced into the market for attacking additions. They are holding talks with Juventus over a swap deal involving Dusan Vlahovic and Romelu Lukaku, who is desperate to leave Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement over a deal to sign Deivid Washington from Santos. The 18-year-old Brazilian forward, who scored six goals last season, is expected to cost €15m plus €5m in add-ons and could be loaned out to the French club Strasbourg if he completes his transfer.