Mauricio Pochettino has affirmed that Christopher Nkunku won’t be participating in Chelsea’s encounter with Newcastle United on Saturday. Pochettino urged fans to manage their immediate expectations for the Frenchman.
Nkunku, recovering from a knee injury that necessitated surgery during pre-season, resumed training on the pitch during the international break. Despite growing excitement among Chelsea supporters about Nkunku’s impending debut, Pochettino unfortunately confirmed that the wait for the French international’s return will extend a bit longer.
“Still out,” Pochettino stated when questioned about Nkunku’s status. “In the past week’s training sessions, he hasn’t fully recovered to join the tactical sessions. It’s currently about his recovery.”
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As disclosed by 90min earlier this month, Chelsea is targeting Nkunku to start in the Carabao Cup clash against Newcastle on December 20, with the 26-year-old expected to make appearances off the bench in the weeks leading up to that fixture.
The manner in which Pochettino plans to deploy Nkunku remains uncertain. As a player proficient in various roles such as attacking midfielder, striker, and winger, Pochettino will assess the optimal fit for the versatile Frenchman in the coming weeks.
“He is a fantastic player, the top scorer in the Bundesliga, and he can operate in different positions,” remarked the Chelsea boss. “His quality is remarkable. It’s truly unfortunate to lose him at the start of the season, but now there’s an opportunity for him to contribute to the team. We’ll determine the best way for him to integrate with the team. However, he faces stiff competition because his teammates have been competing for the past four months, and he needs to regain his form and reach his peak.”
Pochettino also cautioned fans against expecting too much from Nkunku upon his return, emphasizing the need for patience as the player rebuilds his fitness after an extended period on the sidelines.
“At Chelsea, there are always high expectations, but we must understand that he is coming back from an injury, and he requires time,” stressed Pochettino. “We need to be patient as he starts to compete, play, and reacquaint himself with the competitive environment. It’s a different league from what he’s used to, and he needs to recover from his injury while adapting to the nuances of the league. Settling in might take time, but it’s crucial to give him the time needed to showcase his best performance.”