Mauricio Pochettino has hinted Chelsea may need to dip into the transfer market if Christopher Nkunku's injury problems persist.
The French forward will miss his third match in a row with a hip problem when Fulham visit Stamford Bridge in a west London derby in the Premier League on Saturday.
Nkunku has only started one competitive match for Chelsea since joining in a £52million move from RB Leipzig last summer.
Asked by Standard Sport whether his latest absence could force Chelsea to sign a goalscorer, head coach Pochettino said: “It’s true that now, in the next few days, we are going to see the situation. That’s why I say I am a little worried.
“I still don’t have all the information about whether he will be available or not for a small initial period. We need to be very clinical to take some decisions, to think and see how we fix the problem.”
Nkunku was central to Pochettino's plans during pre-season and scored three goals, but later suffered an injury to his left knee in the final match of their US tour.
His two injuries have kept him out for a total of over four months and put pressure on both Nicolas Jackson, who is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, and Armando Broja to score consistently.
Pochettino admitted that Nkunku was his only option who had a proven track record in front of goal, adding: “He was the only player that was performing, of course in a different league in Germany, but was consistently scoring goals.
“That was the situation before the start of the season. Jackson is 21, Broja is 21 and they are young guys who must adapt. That’s why we feel a bit more the hit of [losing] Nkunku because we were sure he was consistent in scoring goals.
“It’s a blow. It has become compulsory for Jackson to score with every touch and do well. Broja, with one year out, needs to play three games in a row and that’s difficult for him.”
