Chelsea’s plans rocked with major injury blow to £53m star who could miss up to six games including Liverpool

Chelsea’s start to the season has been rocked with the news that striker Christopher Nkunku’s injury during the final pre-season game against Dortmund is worse than initially feared.

The French striker picked up the injury after a collision with Dortmund’s Mats Hummels in Chicago. He was seen walking freely and even seemed to suggest to fans that it was nothing serious but news in the last 24 hours has confirmed he’s had to undergo surgery.

In what is clearly a massive blow to Chelsea and manager Mauricio Pochettino, scans revealed the striker had suffered a meniscus injury on his knee and needed an operation with the length of recovery now expected to be months instead of the initial.

The Club have not given a date for when he will return but it is now certain he will miss games against Liverpool, West Ham, Luton, Nottingham Forest and AFC Bournemouth.

The news also lands a psychological blow on the team's progress with the striker having made such a good impression during the USA tour including scoring three goals in five pre-season appearances playing up front, on the left and on the right.

He now joins Wesley Fofana who similarly picked up a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for half of the campaign, the returning Armando Broja and Benoit Badiashile who has been battling with a hamstring injury from the end of last season.

Chelsea have been locked in negotiation with Brighton for midfielder Moises Caicedo but with the injury to Nkunku, it remains to be seen if they will now go all out for another forward. Pochettino mentioned he was expecting around four new signings before the transfer window shuts.