Chelsea: Ex-RB Leipzig professional Nkunku’s comeback is imminent

After the international break

Due to a knee injury, reigning Bundesliga top scorer Christopher Nkunku is still out of action for Chelsea. More than four and a half months after his 60 million euro transfer from RB Leipzig to Stamford Bridge, the 25-year-old attacker’s comeback to the pitch is becoming apparent.

As part of the press conference before the Premier League game against defending champions Manchester City (Sunday, 5.30 p.m.), Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino said on Friday when asked about Nkunku: “We were talking and he said to me: ‘Coach, I wants to be ready for Newcastle after the international break’. I asked him yesterday, he said, ‘Hmmm,’ and I said, ‘You’re a liar.’ He: ‘No, no, I’m ready.'”

With Nkunku, Palmer & Caicedo: Chelsea FC’s most expensive purchases

26 Benoît Badiashile | 2022/23 from Monaco

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Transfer fee: €38 million
As of September 1, 2023

25 Didier Drogba | 2004/05 from Marseille

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Transfer fee: €38.5 million

24 Michy Batshuayi | 2016/17 from Marseille

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Transfer fee: €39 million

22 Tiemoué Bakayoko | 2017/18 from Monaco

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Transfer fee: €40 million

22 Hakim Ziyech | 2020/21 from Ajax

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Transfer fee: €40 million

21 Andriy Shevchenko | 2006/07 by Milan

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Transfer fee: €43.9 million

19 Axel Disasi | 2023/24 from AS Monaco

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Transfer fee: €45 million

19 Mateo Kovacic | 2019/20 by Real Madrid

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Transfer fee: €45 million

18 Cole Palmer | 2023/24 by Manchester City

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Transfer fee: €47 million

17 Ben Chilwell | 2020/21 by Leicester City

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Transfer fee: €50.2 million

16 Timo Werner | 2020/21 from RB Leipzig

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Transfer fee: €53 million

15 Raheem Sterling | 2022/23 by Man City

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Transfer fee: €56.2 million

14 Jorginho | 2018/19 from SSC Napoli

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Transfer fee: €57 million

13 Fernando Torres | 2010/11 from Liverpool FC

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Transfer fee: €58.5 million

12 Christopher Nkunku | 2023/24 from RB Leipzig

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Transfer fee: €60 million

11 Romeo Lavia | 2023/24 from Southampton

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Transfer fee: €62.1 million

10 Christian Pulisic | 2018/19 from BVB

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Transfer fee: €64 million

9 Marc Cucurella | Brighton in 2022/23

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Transfer fee: €65.3 million

8 Alvaro Morata | 2017/18 by Real Madrid

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Transfer fee: €66 million

7 Mykhaylo Mudryk | 2022/23 by Shakhtar Donetsk

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Transfer fee: €70 million

5 Kepa | 2018/19 by Athletic Bilbao

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Transfer fee: €80 million

5 Kai Havertz | 2020/21 from Bayer Leverkusen

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Transfer fee: €80 million

4 Wesley Fofana | 2022/23 by Leicester City

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Transfer fee: €80.4 million

3 Romelu Lukaku | 2021/22 from Inter Milan

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Transfer fee: €113 million

2 Moises Caicedo | Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023/24

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Transfer fee: 116 million + €17 million in bonuses

The Londoners will play away in the league against Newcastle United (4 p.m.) on November 25th. Pochettino praised Nkunku and his efforts in the rehab process: “He’s doing really well. We are very happy with him the way he is recovering. He is very professional. Roméo Lavia is also close. They both trained on the pitch today. I hope he’ll be back next week and then we’ll see. Day by day we’ll see when it’s possible for them to play with the team.”

The 19-year-old “six” also moved to Chelsea in the summer, and Southampton received the equivalent of 62.1 million euros for the former Man City youth player. Lavia suffered an ankle injury in mid-September and has been out since then.

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