Cole Palmer and Reece James issues Chelsea alert to Christopher Nkunku after latest injury update

Cole Palmer and Reece James issues a Chelsea alert to Christopher Nkunku after a new injury update

Chelsea duo Reece James and Cole Palmer both appear to be very excited for the return from injury of Christopher Nkunku. The France international posted a huge update on his recovery from a knee issue picked up in pre-season which shows him working at Cobham ahead of an expected return to action after the November international break.

On Instagram, Nkunku shared a number of images that show him working hard in the gym with the caption: “Getting closer… [timer emoji and two fist emojis.]” Mauricio Pochettino gave an update on his expected return date and the latest images seem to suggest that target remains intact.

In October, before the Premier League clash with Brentford, he said: “He [Nkunku] is doing well, I think he is close, I hope he can be involved soon. Maybe after the international break. Maybe not not sure.” Nkunku returning will likely see one Chelsea attacker forced to settle for a spot on the bench, but there is where a dilemma may occur for Pochettino.

Neither Cole Palmer or Raheem Sterling are deserving of losing their place, while Nicolas Jackson could prove to be extremely important for Nkunku to succeed judging by his positional claim earlier this year. In an interview with Football Manager earlier this year, Nkunku was told 28 percent of FM players deploy him in an attacking midfield role and his answer was telling.. “I think that’s a position that suits me well,” he said. “Close to the goal behind a striker. That describes me as a player nicely so I always like playing in this role.”

Therefore, Conor Gallagher could be the player to depart the starting XI with Pochettino choosing to deploy a midfield partnership of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. Following on from the 4-1 win against Tottenham, spirits appear very high in west London with a number of players seeming very excited for Nkunku’s return.

In the comments of his Instagram update, captain Reece James used a clock emoji to describe his feelings, hinting that a playing comeback for Nkunku in line with Pochettino’s update is edging closer.

Palmer was another to send a warning to the Blues’ rivals as he put two eyes raised hands emojis in the comments section. Fellow France internationals Lesley Ugochukwu, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi also replied to the post while Raheem Sterling posted a story that showed him and Nkunku working on the exercise bikes.