Mauricio Pochettino admits he is ‘worried’ about Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku’s latest injury setback.
Nkunku missed the opening months of the campaign after sustaining a pre-season knee injury that required surgery in the summer, before returning to the side for the club’s last three Premier League games.
However, the £52m summer signing from RB Leipzig is now again sidelined with a hip problem, missing recent cup clashes with Preston and Middlesbrough. Pochettino admits he is concerned by the latest setback for the France international.
“I’m a little bit worried about the situation of Nkunku because it’s now 10 days that he cannot train,” Pochettino said at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Fulham.
“We are still assessing him, we don’t know what is going to happen. But the good news is having players like Chalobah, Chilwell, Badiashile and Chukwuemeka so close to being involved again and help the team to perform.
“It’s complicated with Christopher. It’s now between eight and 10 days since he could train. After six months that waited for him, he was so close to feeling comfortable again, he started the game against Crystal Palace.
“We’re disappointed and a little bit worried because we want him involved again as soon as possible.”
Chelsea this week allowed Ian Maatsen to depart on loan for Borussia Dortmund and Pochettino believes it is a transfer that suits all parties.
“It’s good for the club, it’s good for him.
“He will hope to have the possibility to play more than he could here. For both sides, I think it’s a good decision.”
