Pochettino faces sack pressure as Chelsea aware of Christopher Nkunku truth

All season-long, the general thought process from many supporters has been ‘Wait until Christopher Nkunku is back and we will be fine‘. But what if that isn’t true?

Let’s not forget that Nkunku has yet to play a competitive match in English football since joining from RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window for £52 million. While the 26-year-old has more than proven himself in Germany, with 36 goals and 21 assists in the last two seasons in the Bundesliga, he will most likely require time to adjust to the Premier League.

Some players, however, do not. Some players pick it up quickly. However, they are few and far between.

Not only that, but Nkunku has been out since August 3, over four months ago, due to a knee injury sustained during pre-season. Let’s not forget that Nkunku is carrying a lot of expectation on his shoulders, which is growing with each game Chelsea loses.

The Blues have now lost three consecutive Premier League away games, and Mauricio Pochettino is under increasing pressure from the club’s fan base with each defeat. Chelsea and Pochettino were chastised for their efforts against Everton on Sunday, with some calling for the head coach to be relieved of his duties.

However, football.london understands that Chelsea have no plans to fire Pochettino at the time of writing. The Blues remain confident in the Argentine’s ability to turn things around at Stamford Bridge and intend to back him.

However, results must improve sooner or later or his position at the club will become untenable. He is well aware that his progress on the field must be demonstrated this season. While Chelsea is in a transitional period, signs of progress and success will go a long way toward winning over supporters and keeping the owners on board.

Pochettino will be hoping that whenever Nkunku returns to action, he will be able to hit the ground running for Chelsea. In this ridiculously hectic period between now and their next game, the Blues now have a bit more of a break.

Sheffield United, who are currently bottom of the Premier League table with only eight points, visit Stamford Bridge this weekend. Nkunku is expected to train with his teammates at Cobham this week, with Chelsea and Pochettino hoping he will be available for the Blades’ trip.

“He is a player, a fantastic player who was the Bundesliga’s top scorer and can play in different positions,” Pochettino said last month on Nkunku. “His quality is outstanding.

“It’s a real shame to lose him at the start of the season when he has the potential to help the team.” We’ll figure out the best way for him to fit in with the team.”

Chelsea has yet to decide how and where she will use Nkunku. During the preseason, he frequently operated just behind Nicolas Jackson. The Frenchman, on the other hand, can play on either wing and serve as the focal point up front.

Patience is likely to be required wherever he is used. It’s difficult for Chelsea fans to be patient right now given what’s going on on the field, but Nkunku has been out for over a third of a year due to injury, so he’ll need time and minutes on the field before we see him at his best.