Mauricio Pochettino provides positive update as Chelsea star closes in on return
By Evan Curnew
Chelsea have yet to make massive strides in improving their performances after last season’s disaster. Nonetheless, their win over rivals Tottenham can be used as a turning point in the season, even if it was not their best performance overall, given the circumstances of the match. While the club has had areas of concern all over the pitch, it has been telling that the Blues are severely missing a top striker.
Incomer Nicolas Jackson has five goals in ten Premier League matches, but three of those came against a nine-man Spurs side playing an extremely high line. The Senegalese international needs more time to adjust, and it is unfair to say he needs to be much better than he already is.
Jackson’s role has been expanded early on because of the injury of Christopher Nkunku, who has been out since August. The striker arrived from RB Leipzig last summer but has yet to play a Premier League match for Chelsea. Nkunku has the potential to be a top centre-forward in the league, and he will be an essential figure in Chelsea’s pursuit of climbing their way up the table.
Ahead of their match against Manchester City on Sunday, November 12, manager Mauricio Pochettino provided a positive update on Christopher Nkunku’s return [via Fabrizio Romano].
"“Nkunku told me: ‘coach, I want to be ready after international break against Newcastle”. “It’s close. He’s doing really, really well. We are so happy with Christopher in his recovery, very professional”."
The international break is just around the corner, with their return against Newcastle United being scheduled on the 25th of November. Should he debut against the Toons, it would be a rapid recovery, as even the best-case scenarios after his August injury had Nkunku returning much later. No doubt he will be a big addition for Pochettino, but it must also be the case that he is ready to return.