Chelsea forward Nkunku to miss 'extended period' because of knee surgery
Chelsea says forward Christopher Nkunku has had knee surgery and will be sidelined for “an extended period."AUGUST 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Christopher Nkunku injury: How long is Chelsea forward out in 2023? Timeline, and potential games missed Here is what you need to know about Christopher Nkunku's injury and the games the new Chelsea forward could miss.
AUGUST 8 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Set for knee surgery Nkunku will undergo an operation on his knee and be out multiple months, reports the team.
Impact It's a tough update for Nkunku, who still had hope that this wasn't going to be a serious injury. Instead, he'll miss the first couple months of his Chelsea career, forcing minutes onto another young player in the early season, depending how Mauricio Pochettino wants to play. Nkunku risks spending the next two or three months out, dependent on his recovery.
AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE
Onana, Rice and Nkunku headline the Premier League's top offseason signings
Andre Onana, Declan Rice, Christopher Nkunku, Dominik Szoboszlai, James Maddison and Moussa Diaby are among the most interesting offseason signings in the Premier League in a summe...AUGUST 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chelsea striker Nkunku hurts knee in preseason game, could miss start of Premier League
Newly signed Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku might miss the start of the Premier League season after coming off injured in the team’s final preseason game in the United StatesAUGUST 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Knee injury still being assessed Nkunku was forced off early in Wednesday's friendly against Borussia Dortmund. According to manager Mauricio Pochettino, "The doctors are checking him and I hope it is not a big is...
Impact Nkunku is now a true doubt for the Aug. 13 opener against Liverpool, something Chelsea fans don't want to hear. The lineup is still being tweaked by Pochettino, but if Nkunku can't play the first match or more, that could mean immediate starts out of the gate for Carney Chukwuemeka, who has featured plenty in the pre-season.
AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE
Mauricio Pochettino calls Nkunku's knee injury 'bad luck' Nkunku sustained the injury in a heavy collision with Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels in the penalty area early in the first half.
AUGUST 3 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Chelsea 5 -0 Wrexham: Christopher Nkunku scores on Chelsea debut as Blues thrash Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham Match report as Christopher Nkunku, Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher and Ben Chilwell score in Mauricio Pochettinos first game in charge of Chel...
JULY 20 • SKY.COM
Chelsea signs Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig on 6-year deal
Chelsea has signed France forward Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig on six-year contractJUNE 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moves to Chelsea Nkunku will make a move to London after agreeing to a six-year deal to Chelsea from RB Leipzig, the club confirmed.
Impact Despite injuries, Nkunku had an upstanding season with Leipzig that won him the Bundesliga golden boot with 16 goals. Before joining Leipzig, the forward was part of the PSG youth system, playing in four seasons with the senior side while totaling eight goals and two assists in 55 appearances from 2015-2019. His last two years with Leipzig have been his best, recording 50 goals and 19 assists on 204 shots (97 on target) in 78 appearances in all competitions since 2021. The Frenchman is expected to help Chelsea's offensive woes after playing the whole season without a consistent striker, resulting in just 38 goals in 38 matches in league play during the 2022-23 campaign, one of the lowest in the Premier League.
JUNE 20 • ROTOWIRE
Nkunku shines as Leipzig beats Frankfurt to retain German Cup
Leipzig has retained the German Cup after beating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in the final thanks to a deflected goal and an assist from Christopher NkunkuJUNE 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wins golden boot Nkunku scored two goals and assisted once from five shots and two chances created in Saturday's 4-2 victory over Schalke. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 95th minute...
Impact With a brace Saturday, Nkunku will share the golden boot with Nick Fullkrug with 16 on the season. Despite scoring 20 goals last season, he was only fourth in the golden boot race. The forward also had missed two months with injuries. He will end the campaign averaging 2.5 shots a game with 19 goals in all competitions. Despite two more years left on his contract, he has been linked to a move to Chelsea in the summer, leaving his future on the team in big doubt.
MAY 28 • ROTOWIRE
Nets in win Nkunku scored one goal to go with four shots (three on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 3-1 win versus Bayern Munich.
Impact Nkunku is back healthy and in the starting XI and he is an absolute difference-maker. The striker got on the scoresheet from the penalty spot with what proved to be an absolutely crucial goal Saturday. The striker will be an elite option to close out the Bundesliga now that he is fit and taking on a full workload.
MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE
Nkunku steers Leipzig toward Champions League qualification
Christopher Nkunku has starred for Leipzig to take a big step toward Champions League qualification by coming from behind to beat Werder Bremen 2-1 in the BundesligaMAY 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two assists on Sunday Nkunku had two assists while taking three shots (one on goal), crossing once accurately and creating four chances during Sunday's 2-1 win over Werder Bremen.
Impact Nkunku set up Willi Orban in the 87th minute and Dominik Szoboszlai in the 96th to assist both Leipzig goals on Sunday. The assists upped the attacker's season total to three to go along with a club-leading 13 goals.
MAY 14 • ROTOWIRE
Scores in start Nkunku scored one goal to go with four shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 1-0 victory versus Hoffenheim.
Impact Nkunku returned to the starting XI for the first time since March 3 and was able to play 60 minutes. He was right back to being one of the top attackers in the league during that hour on the pitch, netting on four shots in an impressive showing. Nkunku won't have the time to live up to his player of the year season in 2021/22, but is still in line for a strong finish and a chance to push for 15 goals once more.
APRIL 29 • ROTOWIRE
Starting against Hoffenheim Nkunku is in Leipzig's starting lineup for Saturday's clash against TSG Hoffenheim.
Impact Nkunku is making just his second Bundesliga start of 2023, and his first since early March after recovering from a few injuries. He's taken seven shots (one on target) across his last two appearances off the bench (61 minutes of playing time).
APRIL 29 • ROTOWIRE
On bench against Augsburg Nkunku (strain) is in Leipzig's match day squad for Saturday's clash against FC Augsburg.
Impact Nkunku is available for selection Saturday for the first time since early March, as he's been severely hampered by injuries ever since the World Cup break. He could see some playing time off the bench versus Augsburg while Timo Werner gets the start up front.
APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE
Ready for Saturday Nkunku (strain) will be available for Saturday's match against FC Augsburg.
Impact Nkunku has been training fully and looks good to go for Saturday. He is still expected to start off the bench Saturday, with Timo Werner likely to get the start up top. However, he should transition back to the starting XI once he gets back to full match form. Prior to his injury, the forward has totaled 15 goals and two assists in 25 appearances in all competitions this season.
APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE
Completes parts of training Nkunku (strain) participated in parts of team training ahead of Saturday's clash with FC Augsburg.
Impact It was a delight to see Nkunku back on the training grounds with the team after missing the last five matches with a strain. He is expected to complete full training this week and could return to the squad as soon as Saturday. The forward was one of the top goal scorers in the league before going down with an injury, totaling 12 goals in 14 Bundesliga games this season.
APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE
Expected to return Saturday Nkunku is expected to return to the first team for Saturday's clash with Augsburg, according to Sky Sports' Philipp Hinze.
Impact Nkunku is expected to train fully throughout the week and make a return to the starting XI against Augsburg. It's great news for the mega talented attacker who has been held back by injuries for the second half of the Bundesliga.
APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE
Making progress with recovery Nkunku (strain) is hoping to return to full training with Leipzig "soon," according to manager Marco Rose on Tuesday.
Impact Nkunku has been limited by a few injuries the last few months and has started just one match in any competition since November. He is targeting to be available for the April 8 match against Hertha Berlin while he aims to return from this latest muscular injury.
MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE
Targeting Hertha return Nkunku is out for Saturday's clash with Mainz while he continues to work individually, bild.de reports.
Impact Nkunku is hoping to return for an April 8 clash with Hertha, though his status is up in the air for that match. The forward will train individually in the coming days and undergo further tests to see how the strain is responding after Saturday's clash with Mainz. Timo Werner and Andre Silva will continue to lead the line with Nkunku out.
MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE
Not expected to train for two weeks Nkunku (strain) is expected to return to training during international break, according to manager Marco Rose. ""The plan is to have him back out on the training pitch by around th...
Impact Nkunku is now set to miss more time after reaggravating his strain against Borussia last Friday. This is not good news for the forward, who has the second most goals in the league with 12. He is likely to take the international break to recover and ease back to training, in hopes the he will be ready to return in April.
MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE
Nkunku doubt for Man City decider after fresh injury RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku is set for more time on the sidelines after suffering a thigh injury that could rule him out of a Cham...
MARCH 5 • THEATHLETIC.COM
