Chelsea are considering whether or not to enter back into the transfer market after it emerged that summer signing Christopher Nkunku will be sidelined for several months with a knee injury.
The Blues signed the attacker from RB Leipzig in a deal worth around £65m, and Nkunku had begun pre-season brightly. However, he was forced off midway through the first half of their final pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund with what looked to be a knee injury.
Though initially the hope was that he would be sidelined for weeks rather than months, the latest prognosis suggests meniscus damage in his left knee, which will likely require surgery.
Chicago, USA. 02nd Aug, 2023. Chicago, USA, August 2, 2023: Christopher Nkunku (45 Chelsea F.C.) lies on the ground during the game between Chelsea F.C. and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday August 2, 2023 at Soldier Field, Chicago, USA. (NO COMMERCIAL USAGE 2RFE1BN Chicago, USA. 02nd Aug, 2023. Chicago, USA, August 2, 2023: Christopher Nkunku (45 Chelsea F.C.) lies on the ground during the game between Chelsea F.C. and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday August 2, 2023 at Soldier Field, Chicago, USA. (NO COMMERCIAL USAGE) (Shaina Benhiyoun/SPP) Credit: SPP Sport Press Photo. /Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
As a result, he is expected to be sidelined for several months, leaving Chelsea light in attack as they look to bounce back from their worst ever Premier League season.
The Guardian report that Mauricio Pochettino and co. are now weighing up whether or not to dip back into the transfer market for a replacement, with current options to play at no.10 consisting of Conor Gallagher and Carney Chukwuemeka.
The club had previously weighed up a move for Gabri Veiga, and the Celta Vigo man’s 40m euro release clause may look increasingly tempting should Nkunku be forced under the knife.
Meanwhile, Wesley Fofana is expected to miss the bulk of the season through a serious knee injury that he picked up in pre-season training, and Chelsea have already had to dip into the market to bring in a replacement for the Frenchman in the form of Axel Disasi, who joined from Monaco.