Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino is anxious to protect £52 million summer acquisition Christopher Nkunku prior to his probable debut against Newcastle United on Wednesday.
The Frenchman left RB Leipzig for Stamford Bridge in the summer. But he hasn’t played a competitive game since having surgery to treat a knee injury during preseason.
In Saturday afternoon’s 2-0 triumph over Sheffield United, Nkunku was named as a substitute despite Pochettino’s admission that he was “one or two percent in doubt” about the striker’s fitness.
According to the Newcastle World, the Blues manager acknowledged the possibility of a 20-minute cameo but downplayed claims that the 26-year-old is prepared to start against the Magpies.
What Did Pochettino Say About Nkunku’s Fitness?
Pochettino said: “Christopher was involved last game and is going to be involved. He is training well. Maybe he will be involved in some minutes of the game.
“I did not want to take a risk with him. How I do see him today? I can tell you maybe he can play 20 minutes.
“How I saw him before the game against Sheffield United, in my mind I was one or two per-cent in doubt, that is why I didn’t want to take a risk.
See Also: Arsenal Will Not Win The Premier League Title This Season – Mourinho
“I explained that to him because I need to be 100 per-cent. I think it was good for him to feel the warm up with the team but why take a risk when we the game is 2-0? Because one per-cent of my mind was thinking ‘I don’t know if it is the right moment for him to play’.”
The Magpies are vying for a spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and want to win at Stamford Bridge for the first time since a 2-1 victory in 2012 thanks to a brace from Papiss Cisse.
COMMENTS