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Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea will not be making an early return from a hip injury, and Malo Gusto has also joined him on the treatment table.
Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea will not be making an early return from a hip injury, and Malo Gusto has also joined him on the treatment table.
Nkunku, who missed a significant portion of the first half of the season due to a knee problem, encountered a fresh injury in early January during training. Initially, it was suggested that he would be sidelined for three weeks, and there were reports of a potential early return. However, Chelsea has now confirmed that he is still “undergoing his rehabilitation programme.”
When questioned about Nkunku’s availability in a press conference before the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough on Tuesday, head coach Mauricio Pochettino stated, “No. He’s not available. It’s a shame. He’s still recovering. He suffered a little bit in his hip, now he’s recovering. It’s not a big issue. It’s just delayed the possibility of being available again.”
The £52 million ($66 million) summer signing, Christopher Nkunku, has yet to make an appearance in 2024, missing games against Preston, Middlesbrough, and Fulham. Additionally, Nkunku’s compatriot, Gusto, has also joined him on the treatment table, ruling them both out for the clash with Middlesbrough.
With 10 first-team players unavailable for the second leg, including club captain Reece James, Romeo Lavia, and Wesley Fofana, and loanee Cesare Casadei being cup-tied, Chelsea faces a challenging scenario.
Nevertheless, they hope to have enough quality players to overturn a 1-0 aggregate deficit and secure a spot in the Carabao Cup final. The Carabao Cup represents Chelsea’s best chance of winning silverware at this stage of the season, with Liverpool being the likely opponents in the Wembley showpiece. Nkunku aims to return to training before the significant league meeting with Aston Villa on Friday night.