Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Christopher Nkunku has a hip injury and is being assessed.

The Chelsea forward, Christopher Nkunku, is facing a setback after suffering a hip injury, as per recent reports. The 26-year-old missed the Blues’ recent FA Cup third-round victory against Preston due to this fresh injury. With manager Mauricio Pochettino confirming the news, it is now understood that the French international will need approximately three weeks to recover from this hip problem.

This injury adds to Nkunku’s previous setbacks since his £52 million ($66m) summer transfer from RB Leipzig to Chelsea. Having encountered a knee injury during pre-season, he only recently returned to action, making this current setback all the more frustrating for the player and the club. With such limited game time this season, both Nkunku and Chelsea will be eager for him to return to the pitch at the earliest opportunity.

Nkunku’s situation also adds to Chelsea’s growing list of injury concerns this season. Fellow summer signing Romeo Lavia also faced a four-month absence due to an ankle issue before finally making his debut in December. However, he too encountered further problems during a recent appearance against Crystal Palace, highlighting the challenging injury situation at the club.

Looking ahead, Chelsea is scheduled to face Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, followed by a Premier League encounter with Fulham at home. The team will be eager for Nkunku’s swift recovery as they navigate through a crucial period of the season, hoping for his return to action in the near future.