‘Difficult for him’… Mauricio Pochettino says £52m Chelsea man is no longer the same player

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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been talking about Christopher Nkunku after the forward’s latest injury.

Mauricio Pochettino confirmed in his pre-match press conference yesterday that Christopher Nkunku has picked up another injury and Chelsea do not actually know when it happened.

The 26-year-old has had multiple fitness issue this term and his manager has now claimed that he is not the same player everyone saw during pre-season as a result. Pochettino was speaking to The Sun and other outlets ahead of the Blues’ FA Cup tie versus Leeds United this evening.

Nkunku has only been able to make seven appearances in the Premier League since joining Chelsea in a £52m deal (BBC Sport) last summer because of his injury problems.

Across those seven matches, the Frenchman has scored twice, including against Liverpool.

Christopher Nkunku no longer the same player

Pochettino says Nkunku is not the same player who was killing it during Chelsea’s pre-season because of all of his injuries.

On the former RB Leipzig man, the Argentine said: “It’s difficult for him. We watched him when he arrived in pre-season. He was flying on the training pitch until he got injured. Now it is nearly eight months and he has been involved again but it is not the same player as before.

“We have in our head the amazing Nkunku from pre-season but it is not the same player because of the circumstances. That’s why it is sometimes unfair when we judge.”

Christopher Nkunku can shine at Chelsea next season

Nkunku was deadly during Chelsea’s pre-season, scoring a few goals for the club while they were in America.

Unfortunately for the Blues, the France international has not been able to show his smart movement and clever finishing too often this term.

Chelsea now need to focus on getting Nkunku fit and helping him to stay that way, even if it means being extremely cautious with the attacker for the remainder of the campaign.

It makes sense to, especially with the club not playing for much. If they can do the above, then Nkunku could have a very good 2024/25 season. The Chelsea star proved at Leipzig that he is a very effective forward. He can be that at Stamford Bridge, too, once injury-free.