Nkunku’s mysterious injury update and return date confirmed after Man City clash
Christopher Nkunku appears to be gearing up ahead of his long awaited Chelsea debut after he took to social media following the dramatic 4-4 draw with Manchester City on Sunday. The Frenchman returned to training last week, pictured outside at Cobham for the first time since pre-season, and is now just weeks away from a first competitive appearance.
“We had some conversation and he said to me, ‘Coach, I want to be ready for after international break, Newcastle’,” Mauricio Pochettino said when quizzed on the latest ahead of the weekend’s match. “I asked him yesterday and he said ‘hmmm’, and I said ‘you are liar’. ‘No, no I am ready’.”
Nkunku has been out since the start of August after suffering a damaging knee injury that ruled him out for at least four months. His recovery has been going well though and he now looks set to get back to action before the end of the year, something that wasn’t always certain.
The 25-year-old also missed a big chunk of last season over the winter but still managed to finish as joint top-scorer in Germany with 16 goals – a tally that Harry Kane has already matched this year. He hasn’t let the massive setback stop him from supporting his teammates though.
Nkunku has often sent messages to fans on Instagram throughout the season either during or after matches and this week was no different. He wasn’t spotted at Stamford Bridge during the draw against Pep Guardiola’s side but still went online to show his suppport.
“What a game [heart eyes emoji, bicep emoji]” he posted on his Instagram story at full-time. Nkunku will now have two weeks to get ready for what he hopes will be the last break before he runs out for the first time in Premier League football.
The Blues face Newcastle in the league next with a trip to St James’ Park on November 25. It’s not certain which Newcastle clash Nkunku and Pochettino spoke about but given the uncertainty he showed when asked a second time by his manager it is maybe more likely that he is seen on December 19 for the Carabao Cup quarter final tie at Stamford Bridge.
“It is close and he is doing really well,” Pochettino added. “We are so happy with him, the way he is recovering, he is very professional.” Chelsea will now be hoping that they can give Nkunku something to play for this season because in full flow he is one of the most exciting attackers out there and adding that to a front-footed young team is reason for positivity.
With the top four still out of sights at this stage Chelsea could close the gap significantly before their star man even plays. He is now looking ahead to that and also posted immediately after the game on Twitter. “[timer emoji, prayer hands emoji]” he put simply.
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