Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Christopher Nkunku is close to returning for Chelsea as the summer signing nears full fitness.
Nkunku has not featured for Chelsea since signing from RB Leipzig in a £52m deal last summer, having picked a knee injury in pre-season.
The 25-year-old scored 58 goals across the previous two seasons at Leipzig and Pochettino has backed the France international to be an important player for his team.
“He’s doing well and working really hard. He’s very close. Hopefully we can have him involved as soon as possible,” Pochettino said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Brentford.
“He is a really important player for us.”
Chelsea head into this weekend’s game at Stamford Bridge having won just one of their five Premier League fixtures on home soil. Pochettino is determined to improve on that record, but says Brentford – who have won on both visits to Chelsea since promotion – will be a tough examination.
“It’s really important, we need to create a run at home by winning,” Pochettino said.
“We need to improve the image of being solid in front of our fans at home. It’s going to be a tough game because they’re a very good team. They use two different formations so we will have to see, but we’re ready. It’s a nice challenge for us tomorrow.”
