Christopher Nkunku sends Chelsea injury message to Pochettino ahead of Brentford clash
Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku has posted another positive video of himself advancing his recovery work as he looks to build up strength in his knee. The 25-year-old is still yet to play for the Blues having signed from RB Leipzig in the summer.
Having arrived coming off the back of yet another impressive season in Germany where he finished as Bundesliga’s top scorer despite missing two months over the winter with a seperate knee injury, Nkunku came to Chelsea with the expectation of becoming one of the league’s best players.
An unfortunate collision against Borussia Dortmund in the final game of pre-season under Mauricio Pochettino has seen him sidelined ever since.
With the Blues lacking a clinical edge – only Manchester United have scored less goals out of the teams in the top half – Nkunku is someone sure to provide an extra side to things but it is unlikely that he will make his first appearance for the club until at least December. Along with Romeo Lavia, Nkunku is just one of a number of first-team players yet to be fit enough to get any minutes this season.
However, the good news is that Nkunku is continuing to ramp up his rehabilitation and has now been seen taking the next step towards a return. Posting on Instagram Nkunku is seen balancing his right foot on a low platform with his left leg raised behind him. With a kettlebell being held by his hands and the the Frenchman pulsing his body up and down to stretch and work the knee, it is another positive move in the right direction.
Christopher Nkunku building up the strength on his knee. ????????pic.twitter.com/tGwRbyiouZ
— London Is Blue Podcast ⭐️⭐️ (@LondonBluePod) October 24, 2023
Over the past couple of months, Nkunku has gradually been doing more and more with pool work, clips of himself in the gym and even a short video of a ball being kicked inside all being shared online. The France forward is still likely to not be seen in competitive action until late this year and maybe even not until 2024 in order to build up his sharpness.
It is currently just a small part of a massive injury plague marking the club right now with Wesley Fofana and Ben Chilwell also long-term absentees. Reece James has just returned from a two-month spell on the sideline whilst Carney Chukwuemeka has only made two appearances this season, none since matchday two, and Armando Broja has suffered a small setback after making his first starts in over nine months earlier in October.