Chelsea given positive injury update on Christopher Nkunku

Chelsea have been given a positive injury update on Christopher Nkunku, with early medical assessments suggesting that the severity of his knee injury is not as bad as first feared.

The France international limped off in the 22nd minute of Chelsea's pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund on July 23, raising concerns that he could miss the start of the 2023/24 season.

However, the Blues have since returned to Cobham and Nkunku has undergone further tests, which have indicated that the injury is not as serious as first thought.

It is still too early to say for sure when Nkunku will be back in action, but he is now expected to miss the upcoming Premier League season opener against Liverpool on August 13.

Despite the positive news, it is still a blow for Chelsea, who were hoping that Nkunku could make a significant impact in his debut season at Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old was a key player for RB Leipzig last season, scoring 35 goals in all competitions, and he was expected to be a regular starter for Chelsea this term.

However, his injury will now give Nicolas Jackson a chance to stake his claim for a place in the starting lineup.

The former Villarreal man has also impressed in pre-season, scoring two goals against Brighton and Newcastle.

He will be hoping to take his chance to impress Thomas Tuchel and make the number 10 role his own.

Nkunku's injury is a setback for Chelsea, but the positive news is that it is not as serious as first feared.

The Frenchman is expected to be back in action within a few weeks, and he will be a valuable asset to the Blues once he is fully fit.