Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has shared an optimistic update on his fitness as he prepares for his second season with the club. The French international endured a challenging first year, marred by injury issues following his £53 million transfer from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023.
Nkunku, who joined Chelsea amid high expectations, was restricted to just two Premier League starts last season. His campaign was disrupted by a knee injury sustained during the club’s pre-season tour in the United States, which required surgery and kept him out of action for a significant portion of the season. The 26-year-old missed 39 games in total and made only 14 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals.
Despite the setbacks, Nkunku has used his summer break to recuperate and prepare for a stronger performance in the upcoming season. “I am feeling better after the difficult season last year. I am feeling better,” Nkunku stated.
He described the summer break as crucial for his recovery. “I had a nice break during the summer. I needed it. I worked a little bit before coming here, but it was important for me to break after this year, for my head also. It was good,” he said.
Nkunku is now focused on maintaining his fitness and making the most of pre-season preparations under Chelsea’s new head coach, Enzo Maresca. He emphasized the positive impact of Maresca’s coaching. “The new head coach brings very good ideas to play. We are all happy to practice every training with him. Now it is just the beginning. We need to learn and to fix in every training the way he wants us to play,” Nkunku added.
He expressed confidence in the team’s potential to produce exciting football this season, provided that everyone embraces the coach’s vision. “If everybody has the idea of the coach to play, we will produce good football this year,” Nkunku concluded.
As Chelsea gears up for the new season, Nkunku’s return to full fitness and form will be a crucial factor in their quest for success. Fans will be hoping that the French forward can stay injury-free and make a significant impact on the pitch.
