Chelsea’s match against Everton this weekend could mark Christopher Nkunku’s debut in competitive play for the club. Even though the France international resumed training during the November international break, he has not yet been included in a matchday squad due to a serious pre-season knee injury.
Mauricio Pochettino declared he would not be in the squad ahead of the Manchester United match at Old Trafford, but his update suggested he might not play a part for some time yet. “Not at all. I hope he returns soon,” he said to the press. “He won’t be there tomorrow. As we always tell you, I believe it comes down to day-by-day assessment. I believe we should exercise caution because there are moments when we become ecstatic and want the player right away.”
Chelsea missed a number of excellent opportunities in the 2-1 loss on Wednesday, so they could have used his presence. Although Cole Palmer scored a fantastic goal, Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Armando Broja, the second-half substitute, all missed chances.
The Blues’ next match is an away Premier League match, this time against Everton. The Toffees have already escaped the relegation zone with back-to-back victories over Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, both of which saw them maintain clean sheets. This is in spite of their most recent 10-point deduction.
Their performance and defensive tenacity do not augur well for a Chelsea team that frequently underperforms their starting lineup and comes into the match having lost their last two away games. While the attacking players may be concerned about losing their spot in the starting XI, Nkunku’s return could significantly boost Chelsea’s morale.
Having said that, journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Christopher Nkunku, stating the current sentiment in the Chelsea locker room regarding his availability for the weekend. “Christopher Nkunku could be in the Chelsea squad this weekend; the feeling is optimistic, but let’s see,” he said in a video posted to his YouTube channel.
