Chelsea’s Nkunku Hurts Knee in Preseason Game, Could Miss Start of Premier League

Christopher Nkunku #45 of Chelsea FC controls the ball while defended by Salih Ozcan #6 of Borussia Dortmund during the first half during the pre-season friendly at Soldier Field on August 02, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.   Justin Casterline/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Justin Casterline / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Christopher Nkunku #45 of Chelsea FC controls the ball while defended by Salih Ozcan #6 of Borussia Dortmund during the first half during the pre-season friendly at Soldier Field on August 02, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Justin Casterline/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Justin Casterline / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
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Chelsea’s Nkunku Hurts Knee in Preseason Game, Could Miss Start of Premier League

Christopher Nkunku #45 of Chelsea FC controls the ball while defended by Salih Ozcan #6 of Borussia Dortmund during the first half during the pre-season friendly at Soldier Field on August 02, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.   Justin Casterline/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Justin Casterline / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Christopher Nkunku #45 of Chelsea FC controls the ball while defended by Salih Ozcan #6 of Borussia Dortmund during the first half during the pre-season friendly at Soldier Field on August 02, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Justin Casterline/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Justin Casterline / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Newly signed Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku might miss the start of the Premier League season after coming off injured in the team's final preseason game in the United States.

The France international was substituted midway through the first half of the 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund in Chicago on Wednesday after falling to the ground clutching his leg.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said Nkunku felt “something in his knee.”

“The doctors are checking him and I hope it is not a big issue,” Pochettino said.

“We hope he can be back quickly with the team. We need a few days to assess him.”

Nkunku, who joined from Leipzig for 52 million pounds ($67 million), has been a regular starter for Chelsea in its preseason games. If he does miss the start of the season, it may open the door for another offseason signing — Nicolas Jackson — to start up front.

Chelsea's first Premier League game is at home against Liverpool on Aug. 13.



Tottenham Beats West Ham 4-1 with Second-Half Scoring Spree

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 19, 2024 Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min scores their fourth goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 19, 2024 Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min scores their fourth goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Tottenham Beats West Ham 4-1 with Second-Half Scoring Spree

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 19, 2024 Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min scores their fourth goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 19, 2024 Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min scores their fourth goal. (Action Images via Reuters)

Tottenham scored three goals in eight minutes in a 4-1 win over West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.

Spurs had trailed to Mohammed Kudus' 18th minute goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but powered back with a brilliant second-half performance.

Dejan Kulusevski leveled the game in the 36th and after the break the home team took control. Yves Bissouma struck in the 52nd before and Alphonse Areola scored own goal three minutes later.

Son Heung-min added a fourth in the hour mark.

West Ham was reduced to 10 men in the 86th when Kudus was sent off for pushing Micky van de Ven in an angry confrontation.