Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Christopher Nkunku will miss the FA cup fifth round tie against Leeds united due to injury.
Christopher Nkunku was subbed on in the 67th minute of Sunday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool. The french international star replaced Nicolas Jackson, completed almost and hour as the game proceeded to extra time.
This marked only his tenth appearance for Chelsea since transferring from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in the summer. Now, the 26 years old attacking midfielder is poised for another stint on the sidelines.
Injury update provided by Chelsea FC ahead of Leeds United fifth round FA cup tie.
‘We need to evaluate him (Nkunku) every day,’ Pochettino said during his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s game with Leeds. ‘At the moment, he could be maybe three or four weeks out. We hope no more.
‘We found out after [the final that he had suffered an injury]. It’s difficult for him. When he arrived in pre-season, he was flying on the pitch and in training in America.
‘Then he got the knee injury and now it’s nearly eight months later. Even when he was ready to be involved again, he couldn’t be the same as before. That is the risk.
‘We have in our head the potential best Nkunku that everyone knows from the Bundesliga, but he can’t be that player. That is why it is unfair to judge because the situations are completely different.’
Pochettino believes his players are ready to put Sundays defeat behind and react decisively against Leeds United.
‘When you lose a final it’s not easy to recover but I am happy because I think the players are really focused and are moving forward. If you ask the players today, they all want to be involved in the game.
