- £52million ($66.2m) suffers pre-season injury
- Set to miss Chelsea's match against Liverpool
- Frenchman out for weeks rather than months
WHAT HAPPENED? Nkunku limped off in the 22nd minute of Chelsea's final pre-season match against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago following a challenge from Mats Hummels on Thursday, August 3. Now, The Standard claims the 25-year-old has avoided a long spell on the sidelines, and will not be placed on the long-term injured list. However, he will miss the Blues' Premier League clash against Liverpool on August 13.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The forward, who joined from RB Leipzig earlier this summer, has impressed during the west London club's pre-season campaign but his injury is a blow to Chelsea's frontline. This setback leaves the Blues withNicolas Jackson as their main attacking option, with Armando Broja recovering from a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, while Romelu Lukaku faces an uncertain future.
AND WHAT'S MORE: The Blues scored just 38 goals in 38 matches last season, so they need all the firepower they can get to have a better campaign under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
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WHAT NEXT? Nkunku will have a spell on the sidelines before trying to get fit as soon as possible as the Premier League season gets underway.