Chelsea Manager Pochettino Confirms Nkunku’s Return to Squad

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has announced that France striker Christopher Nkunku will be included in the squad for their upcoming match against Sheffield United on Saturday. Nkunku, who joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig for a whopping £52m during the summer transfer window, suffered a left knee injury in a pre-season friendly game in Chicago.

The highly-rated 26-year-old underwent surgery in August and is yet to make his Premier League debut for his new club. However, Pochettino believes this is an opportune time for Nkunku to gain some valuable exposure to English football.

“It’s truly motivating not only for us as a team but also for his teammates and the fans to see such an important player finally being part of the squad,” said Pochettino.

Praising the forward’s potential impact, he added:

“This news brings us immense joy and it is crucial that we remain patient with him as we don’t want unnecessary pressure affecting his performance.”

Nkunku Settling into English Football After Impressive Stint at Leipzig

Nkunku was one of Pochettino’s first signings after taking charge at Stamford Bridge earlier this year. His unfortunate injury came about due to a collision with Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels during preseason preparations. However, prior to that setback, Nkunku showcased his abilities by netting three goals in five games during Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the United States.

The Frenchman enjoyed a prolific 2020/21 season with RB Leipzig, scoring an impressive 16 goals in just 25 Bundesliga appearances. Additionally, he boasts ten international caps for France, further highlighting his talent and potential.

Sanchez Injury Opens Door for Petrovic to Shine

In other news, Pochettino also confirmed that Spain goalkeeper Robert Sanchez will be unavailable until late December due to a knee injury. This setback paves the way for Serbia international Djordje Petrovic – signed from New England Revolution over the summer – to step up as the starting goalkeeper.

“I have faith in all my players,” emphasized Pochettino when asked about Petrovic’s capabilities. “He was brought into Chelsea because of his immense potential.”

Chelsea Aiming to Bounce Back after Consecutive Defeats

Currently sitting at 12th place on the Premier League table, level on points with Brentford, Wolves, and Bournemouth, Chelsea is determined to turn their recent misfortunes around. They suffered back-to-back defeats against Manchester United and Everton in their last two league fixtures but remain optimistic about future performances under Pochettino’s guidance.

This weekend’s clash against Sheffield United will provide Nkunku with an opportunity to reintegrate himself within the team and contribute towards their quest for success this season.