Pochettino worried about Nkunku’s knee injury as the outcome of the result set to unfolds
Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea had to evaluate Christopher Nkunku after the striker went off against Borussia Dortmund with a knee injury.
Nkunku was forced off in the first half of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw in Chicago and faces a battle to be fit for the start of the Premier League season. Pochettino, whose side host Liverpool on the opening weekend, hopes the French international has not sustained serious damage.
“The doctors are looking into him and I hope it’s not a big problem,” said the Chelsea manager. “He went down in action, it could have been a penalty and he feels something in his knee, but let’s hope it’s nothing serious. We hope he can return to the team soon. We need a few days to judge him.
Nkunku impressed in pre-season for his new side and Chelsea lost some momentum when he retired. There were questions as to whether uneven ground had caused the injury. “The pitch is not perfect because the facilities are used for another sport,” Pochettino said. “But we won’t blame the pitch for the injury. It was bad luck. »
There was cheering for Chelsea, who went unbeaten in pre-season after Mason Burstow canceled out Marius Wolf’s opener. Levi Colwill, who signed a new long-term contract this week, has impressed alongside Thiago Silva in central defense and could start against Liverpool on August 13.
However, Pochettino knows there are issues to be addressed. He said he wanted to strengthen in midfield and Chelsea remain in talks with Brighton & Hove Albion over a deal for Moisés Caicedo. Nkunku’s injury could also force Chelsea to step up their attempts to sign a striker – they could sign one if they agree to send Romelu Lukaku to Juventus in exchange for Dusan Vlahovic. Pochettino has to decide if he wants Vlahovic.
Chelsea are also looking to sign Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and want reinforcements in attacking midfield. However, Pochettino doesn’t want too many additions. His squad against Dortmund will be close to one he starts against Liverpool, although he declined to say whether Reece James will be named Chelsea’s new captain. Thiago Silva seems like the logical choice, but James got the armband against Dortmund. “I don’t know if we will change, but Reece is a possibility,” said Pochettino.