Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has undergone knee surgery that will rule the French international out for an "extended period" the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Nkunku, 25, joined the Blues in June from RB Leipzig for a reported £63 million ($80 million).

The BBC and The Telegraph reported that Nkunku could be out for up to four months.

He was expected to spearhead a new-look Chelsea this season under the management of Mauricio Pochettino.

The news comes as a hammer blow just days before they begin their Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

In a statement, Chelsea said: "Nkunku has sustained a knee injury which will rule the forward out for an extended period.

"The 25-year-old has undergone an operation and will now begin a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical department."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/he-should-be-more-mature-former-pak-wicketkeeper-schools-indian-star-amid-struggles-in-wi-t20is-623449">'He should be more mature': Former Pak wicketkeeper offers advice to Indian star amid struggles in WI T20Is</a>

Nkunku, who missed last year's World Cup finals due to a left knee problem, suffered the injury during a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago last week.

Pochettino described the pitch at Soldier Field as "not perfect" but conceded that is the risk in playing a money-spinning tour of the States on surfaces designed for multi-sport use.

Chelsea could now be forced into the transfer market to recruit more firepower.

A return of just 38 goals in the Premier League last season contributed to a 12th-placed finish -- their lowest since 1994.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

&nbsp;

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has undergone knee surgery that will rule the French international out for an "extended period" the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has undergone knee surgery that will rule the French international out for an "extended period" the Premier League club said on Tuesday. Nkunku, 25, joined the Blues in June from RB Leipzig for a reported £63 million ($80 million). The BBC and The Telegraph reported that Nkunku could be out for up to four months. He was expected to spearhead a new-look Chelsea this season under the management of Mauricio Pochettino. The news comes as a hammer blow just days before they begin their Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool on Sunday. In a statement, Chelsea said: "Nkunku has sustained a knee injury which will rule the forward out for an extended period. "The 25-year-old has undergone an operation and will now begin a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical department." ALSO READ | 'He should be more mature': Former Pak wicketkeeper offers advice to Indian star amid struggles in WI T20Is Nkunku, who missed last year's World Cup finals due to a left knee problem, suffered the injury during a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago last week. Pochettino described the pitch at Soldier Field as "not perfect" but conceded that is the risk in playing a money-spinning tour of the States on surfaces designed for multi-sport use. Chelsea could now be forced into the transfer market to recruit more firepower. A return of just 38 goals in the Premier League last season contributed to a 12th-placed finish -- their lowest since 1994. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Premier League: Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku to miss up to four months with knee surgery

Five-time Premier League champions Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Frenchman Christopher Nkunku from German side RB Leipzig on a six-year deal. Nkunku, linked with Chelsea since last summer will add to the firepower of the side as they look to put behind a disappointing season from 2022-23 where they finished 12th with 44 points. Nkunku’s contract will run until 2029 with Chelsea reported to have paid a whopping more than £70 million for his services.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It's confirmed. 😁
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1671094175737999360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2>Nkunku happy after signing for Chelsea</h2>

“I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea. A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch.&nbsp;

“Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt,” Nkunku said after completing the transfer to West London.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashes-2023-english-fans-mock-steve-smith-with-saw-you-crying-on-telly-on-day-4-of-edgbaston-test-watch-606434">Ashes 2023: English fans mock Steve Smith with 'saw you cry on telly' chants in Edgbaston Test - Watch</a>

<h2>Serial winner</h2>

The player comes with tons of trophies in a short spell of career having led RB Leipzig to back-to-back DFB Pokal titles in 2022 and 2023. He was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season and was part of the team that reached the semifinal of the Champions League in 2020. He has been instrumental in the club’s success in recent years.

He started his career at French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain where he won three Ligue 1 titles before moving to Germany. In 78 first-team appearances, Nkunku played a key role and helped the club achieve Coup de France title wins on a couple of occasions. In total, he made 172 appearances for RB Leipzig, who finished third in the Bundesliga last term and scored 70 goals.

Nkunku has represented the national side on 10 occasions and is considered a hire to Antoine Griezmann in the national side. While he is yet to score for the national side, he remains a hot prospect and will have a vital role to play when for both club and country.

Chelsea will start their 2023-24 season at home against Liverpool in a blockbuster clash where Nkunku will be expected to make his debut. The game also will be new manager Mauricio Pochettino’s first as he takes the reign from Frank Lampard who took over as the caretaker manager in April 2023.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

&nbsp;

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Five-time Premier League champions Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Frenchman Christopher Nkunku from German side RB Leipzig on a six-year deal. Nkunku, linked with Chelsea since last summer will add to the firepower of the side as they look to put behind a disappointing season from 2022-23 where they finished 12th with 44 points.

Five-time Premier League champions Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Frenchman Christopher Nkunku from German side RB Leipzig on a six-year deal. Nkunku, linked with Chelsea since last summer will add to the firepower of the side as they look to put behind a disappointing season from 2022-23 where they finished 12th with 44 points. Nkunku’s contract will run until 2029 with Chelsea reported to have paid a whopping more than £70 million for his services. It's confirmed. 😁 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 20, 2023 × Nkunku happy after signing for Chelsea “I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea. A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch. “Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt,” Nkunku said after completing the transfer to West London. ALSO READ | Ashes 2023: English fans mock Steve Smith with 'saw you cry on telly' chants in Edgbaston Test - Watch Serial winner The player comes with tons of trophies in a short spell of career having led RB Leipzig to back-to-back DFB Pokal titles in 2022 and 2023. He was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season and was part of the team that reached the semifinal of the Champions League in 2020. He has been instrumental in the club’s success in recent years. He started his career at French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain where he won three Ligue 1 titles before moving to Germany. In 78 first-team appearances, Nkunku played a key role and helped the club achieve Coup de France title wins on a couple of occasions. In total, he made 172 appearances for RB Leipzig, who finished third in the Bundesliga last term and scored 70 goals. Nkunku has represented the national side on 10 occasions and is considered a hire to Antoine Griezmann in the national side. While he is yet to score for the national side, he remains a hot prospect and will have a vital role to play when for both club and country. Chelsea will start their 2023-24 season at home against Liverpool in a blockbuster clash where Nkunku will be expected to make his debut. The game also will be new manager Mauricio Pochettino’s first as he takes the reign from Frank Lampard who took over as the caretaker manager in April 2023. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Premier League: Chelsea sign Bundesliga top scorer Christopher Nkunku on six-year deal from RB Leipzig

christopher-nkunku

Christopher Nkunku, News on Christopher Nkunku, stories on Christopher Nkunku, articles on Christopher Nkunku, Christopher Nkunku stories at Wion, Christopher Nkunku news, Christopher Nkunku latest news

christopher nkunku

Premier League: Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku to miss up to four months with knee surgery

Premier League: Chelsea sign Bundesliga top scorer Christopher Nkunku on six-year deal from RB Leipzig