Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that the team’s doctors are testing Christopher Nkunku and is praying that the French forward’s injury suffered in Thursday’s early morning 1-1 draw against Dortmund is not a big problem.

The Blues did end their US tour with a 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund in an unbeaten fashion and with the Summer Series trophy but may have to start their 2023/2024 Premier League campaign without one of their summer signings.

Dortmund took the lead in Chicago through Marius Wolf before Mason Burstow scored a 90th-minute. However, Chelsea’s £52m signing from RB Leipzig Nkunku, 25, went off in the 22nd minute after what appeared as a knee injury from a tackle.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino blamed the condition of the pitch, which hosted a 72,000 capacity Ed-Sheeran concert days, as he revealed that the extent of the injury can only be known when they get back to London.

“The doctors are checking him. He had the chance to score, but he felt something in his knee. Hopefully, it is not a big issue, and he can be quick with the team. We need a few days to assess him, and until we get back to London, it is difficult to know. We always take some risks because the pitch is not perfect as they are using it for different sports, and that is sometimes the risk of the tour. I think it was a bit unlucky in the situation, but we cannot complain about the pitch and blame the pitch for why he suffered the injury. For me, it was bad luck.” explained Pochettino.

Christopher Nkunku scored 23 goals in 38 games in all competitions for RB Leipzig last season, but he remains a huge doubt for the Blues’ start to a new Premier League campaign against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next Sunday, August 13.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu