Chelsea's
£52m summer signing Christopher Nkunku has been ruled out for an "extended
period" after undergoing knee surgery.
The French forward, who joined from RB Leipzig, suffered the injury in
Chelsea's final pre-season game against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago, and
the club have confirmed he will be missing for a significant spell of the
new season.
"Nkunku has sustained a knee injury which will rule the forward out for an
extended period," Chelsea said in a statement.
"The 25-year-old has undergone an operation and will now begin a
rehabilitation programme with the club's medical department."
Nkunku's absence is a blow for new manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is
preparing for Sunday's opening Premier League match against Liverpool, live
on Sky Sports.
Pochettino has said he would be "open" to another addition to the forward
department before the end of the transfer window.
Nkunku has been sharing striker duties during the club's pre-season tour of
USA with £30m signing Nicolas Jackson, with both finding the net during a
successful Premier League Summer Series campaign in pre-season.
Jackson and Armando Broja are now Pochettino's only available first-team
strikers for the start of the new season.
Chelsea's opening Premier League fixtures
August 13: Liverpool (h) - kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
August 19: West Ham (a)
August 26: Luton (h)
September 2: Nottingham Forest (h)
September 16: Bournemouth (a)
September 23: Aston Villa (h)
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