Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku will be out for “an extended period”, likely about three and a half months, after surgery on a knee injury in a major blow for Mauricio Pochettino.
Nkunku was forced off during the first half of Chelsea’s final pre‑season friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago last week. The match was played on a dreadful pitch at Soldier Field.
The initial hope was the France forward, who completed a £58m move from RB Leipzig this summer, would be out for weeks rather than months. But he is understood to have sustained meniscus damage in his left knee, necessitating an operation.
“Nkunku has sustained a knee injury which will rule the forward out for an extended period,” Chelsea said in a statement on their website. “The 25-year-old has undergone an operation and will now begin a rehabilitation programme.”
The versatile attacker impressed during pre-season and he joins the defender Wesley Fofana as a long‑term absentee. Fofana is expected to miss much of the season after surgery on a knee injury.
Chelsea could be forced into the market for attacking additions. They are holding talks with Juventus over a swap deal involving Dusan Vlahovic and Romelu Lukaku, who is desperate to leave Stamford Bridge, but the club are not interested in Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar.
Chelsea have reached verbal agreement over a deal to sign Deivid Washington from Santos. The 18-year-old Brazilian forward, who scored six goals last season, is expected to cost €15m plus €5m in add-ons and could be loaned out to the French club Strasbourg if he completes his transfer.
Chelsea are in talks with the US technology company Infinite Athlete over a shirt sponsorship deal after stepping back from a potential arrangement with an online casino because of a fan backlash.
Infinite Athlete was established this year after a merger involving Tempus Ex Machina, which signed a seven-year partnership with Chelsea in April. Other options are understood to remain under discussion.
The former Chelsea right-back Tino Livramento has completed his move from Southampton to Newcastle. The deal is understood to be worth close to £40m.
West Ham remain interested in signing the Chelsea left-back, Ian Maatsen, on loan with an option to buy. It remains to be seen if Chelsea are willing to part company with Maatsen following the youngster’s impressive performances in pre-season. Mauricio Pochettino likes the 21-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Burnley, and the Stamford Bridge club are speaking to the versatile defender about a new deal. However West Ham want reinforcements at left-back and have received indications that they have a chance of signing Maatsen.
Chelsea’s squad currently contains four left-backs. Ben Chilwell is first choice for the position and Marc Cucurella is experienced cover. Chelsea are set to loan the 18-year-old full-back, Lewis Hall, to Crystal Palace.
