Christopher Nkunku offers Chelsea fitness update after injury-hit first season

Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku is “feeling better” ahead of his second season with the club.

The France international was limited to only two Premier League starts for the Blues during a turbulent campaign following a £53m move from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023.

Nkunku underwent knee surgery following an injury sustained during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States and did not make his League debut until the Christmas Eve loss at Wolves, during which he scored.

In total, the 26-year-old missed 39 games for the club and ended the season with a tally of three goals in 14 appearances across all competitions.

Having been left out of the France squad for Euro 2024, Nkunku has been able to enjoy a break this summer and is looking forward to a strong season under new head coach, Enzo Maresca.

“I am feeling better after the difficult season last year. I am feeling better,” he said.

“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.

“Now I am working in every training session to stay fit and to go forward in a good way. Pre-season is very good and the team is good. We are practicing the hard work to be fresh and ready to play some friendly games.”

Reflecting on Maresca’s appointment, the Frenchman added: “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.

“We are on this way to learn. If everybody has the idea of the coach to play, we will produce good football this year.”