Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino stated that Christopher Nkunku did not make his debut against Sheffield United because he was not willing to take a risk.
The 26-year-old Franco-Congolese forward made the Blues matchday squad for the very first time this season after battling a knee injury since pre-season when he joined from RB Leipzig.
Many Chelsea supporters were keen to see Nkunku in action but to their disappointment, he was an unused substitute, with Cole Palmer and Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson securing a 2-0 win that pushed the West London outfit into the Premier League top 10.
Back in the fold. ???? pic.twitter.com/YJuxdVGdea
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 15, 2023
“We didn’t want to take a risk with him and give him more time for his recovery,” Pochettino said after the game.
Nkunku could be given his competitive debut when Chelsea host Newcastle United in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.
