Mauricio Pochettino hands Chelsea huge boost as Christopher Nkunku’s possible injury return date revealed

Christopher Nkunku is closing in on a return to the Chelsea side following a lengthy injury lay-off and Mauricio Pochettino has revealed when he could make his comeback.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since the middle of pre-season after sustaining a knee injury following a promising start to life at Chelsea following his £52 million switch from RB Leipzig.

Nkunku has been continuing his recovery at the club’s Cobham training ground in a bid to return before the end of the year to make his competitive Chelsea debut.

Ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League fixture against Brentford, which sees the Blues unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions, head coach Pochettino offered an update on the France international’s condition and offered his side a huge boost in regards to when he may return.

On Nkunku’s recovery, Pochettino told reports: “He is doing really, really well. He is really close (to returning).”

Chelsea’s latest injury update report confirmed Nkunku was ‘continuing to undergo his rehabilitation programme’.

Pochettino was further quizzed on when Nkunku’s return might be. He responded: “Maybe after the international break he will be involved. Maybe, maybe, not sure.”

Their first game after the international break in November comes away to Newcastle United at St. James Park on November 25, with the Blues then facing Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge before heading to Old Trafford to play Manchester United.

Pochettino believes Nkunku’s return will help them offensively as they eye to score more goals in the second half of the season to push them up the Premier League table.

“He was the player when you see the goals from last season, it’s a player that can provide goals and I think we are missing goals,” continued the Chelsea head coach.

“We think he’s a player that can be important for us because he proved he can score.”