Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has warned that Christopher Nkunku needs time.
Christopher Nkunku was finally able to make his debut for Chelsea on Tuesday, coming on in the second half of their Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle United.
The game went to penalties and the Frenchman was able to score his to help the Blues win 4-2. Supporters will now be hoping to see him net in open play, but Mauricio Pochettino has a warning for everyone, which was recently shared by Chelsea’s official club website.
Nkunku and his team-mates will take on Middlesbrough in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The 26-year-old was really impressed with the performance of Cole Palmer in the quarter-finals.
Mauricio Pochettino warns Christopher Nkunku needs time
Pochettino has called for patience with Nkunku, with the France international just coming back from a serious injury.
The Argentine said: “We are talking about a player who arrived and suffered an injury. Now, he meets the team and Premier League in the middle of the competition. Time is needed to start to perform and to get the best form.
“Anyone can judge [a player] straight away, but the most important is in which form. The expectation is to see the best Nkunku, but the problem is we need time for him to perform in the way we expect. It is one thing is to be available; another is to perform in the way we expect. That is why we are not going to put too much pressure on him. Day by day we will push him to arrive at his best as soon as possible.”
Chelsea need Christopher Nkunku firing now
Nkunku probably does require time and not just because he has been injured.
Let us not forget that this is his first season at Chelsea and in England. He needs to adapt to both the team and Premier League.
However, Chelsea are not exactly in a position where they can afford for him to take his time with these things.
Being far off the Champions League places, the Blues obviously need his goals, especially with Nicolas Jackson off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Nkunku’s best ever season saw him score 35 times in 52 appearances. It is no wonder he is being viewed as Chelsea’s saviour.
