Chelsea’s summer acquisition Christopher Nkunku, for whom the club paid £52 million, will be sidelined for a prolonged period due to knee surgery.
The French forward, who was signed from RB Leipzig, sustained the injury during Chelsea’s last pre-season match against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago. The club has officially stated that he will be absent for a considerable duration of the upcoming season.
“Nkunku has sustained a knee injury which will rule the forward out for an extended period,” Chelsea said in a statement.
“The 25-year-old has undergone an operation and will now begin a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical department.”
Nkunku’s unavailability presents a challenge for the recently appointed manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is getting ready for the Premier League opener against Liverpool on Sunday.
Pochettino has expressed his willingness to potentially bring in another forward before the transfer window closes.
During the club’s pre-season tour in the USA, Nkunku had been sharing striker responsibilities with the £30 million signing Nicolas Jackson. Both players scored goals in a productive Premier League Summer Series campaign leading up to the new season.
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